Madagascar authorities have three days to reinstate the FA

Football's world governing body Fifa has deferred a worldwide ban on Madagascar, for a few days at least.

It is waiting for the dispute between the country's Football Federation (FMF) and the government to go through the courts.

Malagasy Sports minister Patrick Ramiaramanana sacked the entire management committee of the FMF last week and announced fresh elections.

Fifa reacted by warning the authorities to reinstate the dissolved committee within three days or face a ban from international football.

Fifa does not allow government interference in footballing affairs.

The deadline passed on Monday 17 March.

But Fifa now says the ban will not be imposed until after a hearing at the Malagasy Supreme Court on Wednesday 19 March.

The FMF has appealed to the court against the minister's intervention.

"Fifa has noted with satisfaction that an appeal lodged by the Madagascan football association (FMF) with the Madagascan Supreme Court has resulted in the suspension of the effects of the ministerial decree to dissolve the FMF", it said in a statement.

"Fifa will wait for ... the substance of the ruling ... before applying the decision passed by the Fifa Executive Committee regarding a suspension of the FMF."

The minister is keen on bringing in a new management team to run the FMF.

"My priority is to settle down the national problem and then that of the international. I will never reverse my decision," Ramiaramanana said.

The catalyst for the dissolution of the management committee was the last-minute cancellation of a Champions League match two weeks ago.

Fans clashed with police after the cancellation of Ajesaia's tie against Costa do Sol of Mozambique.

Following an investigation into the incident - caused by the non-arrival of one match official - the government blamed the Malagasy FF and announced fresh elections in three months.