FIFA President Sepp Blatter has warned France that if the French government interferes in the running of the French Football Association that they may be banned from international football.

Blatter said he was sending a "clear and clean message" to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who criticised the team after a dismal World Cup campaign and has since met with Thierry Henry to find out what happened.

"In France they have made an 'affair d'etat' with football, but football remains in the hands of the federation," said Blatter.

"We will help the national association and if it cannot be solved by consultation, then the only thing we have is to suspend the federation.

"Definitely, I can tell you that political interference will be dealt with by FIFA notwithstanding what kind of interference and what is the size of the country."

Rules of FIFA demand that national federations manage their affairs independently or face suspension from international football.