The Commonwealth Games Federation has suspended Fiji's membership overnight, ruling Fiji out of the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be staged in New Delhi.

Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell said consequent to Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth, its membership of the Federation has also been suspended.  

However, Fennell said the Commonwealth Games Federation would make a representation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting that sport not be included in the sanctions imposed on Fiji.

Fennell said among the Federation members, there is great sympathy for the plight of Fiji athletes who are aspiring to compete in New Delhi.

He said sport and sporting teams should be exempted from political suspension.

Fennell said the Federation would approach the Commonwealth Secretary General with a recommendation that sport be removed from the sanction imposed upon a nation suspended from the Commonwealth.

He said such an exemption could provide Fiji athletes an opportunity to participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.