International federations have a duty to set standards for their global affiliates. The affiliates seek advice from their line international federations whenever sticky issues emerge that need quick solutions.

But football and athletics, which are among the world’s most popular sports, are coming under the spotlight. Fifa, football’s global ruling body that does not brook interference by governments, however well intentioned, will stage the World Cup next year in South Africa.

IAAF, the world athletics governing body, staged its biennial World Championships in August in Berlin, Germany.

Kenyans performed well in Berlin, finishing third overall behind US and Jamaica with four gold, three silver and six bronze medals.

While we commend the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for stripping Bahrain’s drug cheat Rashid Ramzi of the 1500m gold, and handing over the medal to Kenya’s Asbel Kiprop, who was second during the Games in Beijing last year, we wonder why IAAF has been blowing hot and cold on South Africa’s Caster Semenya, who won 800m gold in Berlin, but was later reported to have failed a gender test.

Reports earlier said the IAAF would wait for the final tests on the 18-year-old star. Media reports quoting senior athletics officials later said Semenya was a hermaphrodite.

This in essence made her unfit to compete in the championships which caters exclusively for male and female athletes.

Mr Leonard Chuene, who was recently suspended as Athletics South Africa boss for mishandling the Semenya saga, has said that he hid this stark reality from the public was to protect Semenya’s right to privacy, although subsequent reports said he desperately wanted the girl to win a world title for South Africa.

We empathise with Semenya for being dragged into a very humuliating public spectre by the ineptitudeness of her handlers. Her predicament should have been handled better, and the world spared the agony of debating the gender of a prodigious talent.,e

The Kenyan girl, Janeth Jepkosgei, who took the silver behind Semenya must be monitoring events with more than a casual interest. But when the IAAF said on Thursday that Semenya would keep the gold medal and the $60,000 prize money it turned into a farce.

How can a body that purports to promote fair play turn on its word and says "she has been found innocent of any wrong" as was reported this week?

Isn’t this a travesty of justice, if not acting with blatant impunity? Kenyans reacted angrily to this report and their anger is justified. IAAF cannot claim to promote fair play and at the same time tolerate cheating in its flagship event.

The IOC has set the benchmark and other international federations must comply.

Turning to football, everyone’s eyes are now fixed on next year’s Fifa World Cup. Qualifying rounds have been quite dramatic some results have a foul taste in fans’ mouths. Although Kenya were not contenders for the final slot to South Africa, the referee should not have allowed Nigeria’s second goal by Joseph Yobo.

Watching the France and Ireland qualifying match last Wednesday, it was clear Thierry Henry handled the ball before crossing to William Gallas to score. Henry admits as much. But Fifa has turned down Irish appeals for a replay. French President Nicholas Sarkozy apologised to Ireland for the goal, but Fifa will obviously have France instead of Ireland in South Africa. International Rugby Board introduced video refereeing in an attempt to do away with cheating and so far it has proven a success. International federations should lead by example and not apply double standards. If Semenya had an advantage over the other athletes it is only fair to strip her of her medal and award it to Jepkosgei.