clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Gulf Cup to return to Kuwait after FIFA lift ban

December 10, 2017 at 11:35 am

Qatar has agreed to transfer this month’s Gulf Cup of Nations soccer tournament back to Kuwait after FIFA lifted a two-year ban on the country’s football association, state news agency QNA reported on Saturday.

The transfer would go up for final approval by the Gulf Football Associations on Monday, QNA reported citing Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani, who heads both the Qatari federation and the regional body.

FIFA suspended Kuwait from participating in international football competitions in October 2015 over a government bill which it said interfered in the independence of the country’s FA and fell foul of FIFA statutes.

The global soccer body lifted the ban on Wednesday.

Read: Olympic committee refuses to lift ban on Kuwait

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has extended congratulations and thanks to Qatari football authorities for their ‘honourable gesture’ to move the 2017 Gulf Cup from Qatar to Kuwait.

The FIFA President said:

I would like to congratulate and thank the Qatari football authorities for their honourable gesture, which was not unexpected as it is in line with Qatar’s commitment as the host country of the 2022 FIFA World Cup that this World Cup is indeed for the entire region.

I am very happy and encouraged by the recent developments in the Gulf region. First of all, it is a great pleasure to welcome Kuwaiti football back into the international football community…The initiative to move the 2017 Gulf Cup from Qatar to Kuwait to celebrate this event is a strong and symbolic sign. The solidarity and friendship shown by all illustrates once again the power of football to unite people across borders.

The change of venue could prove a breakthrough for this year’s championship, scheduled to start on Decemeber 22, as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain had planned not to attend the event in Qatar, organisers said last month.

The three countries cut ties with Qatar in June, including banning their citizens from visiting the fellow Gulf Arab state, over accusations that Qatar supports terrorism. Doha denies this.

Timeline: Arab rift with Qatar

The UAE Football Association’s president has said his country’s boycott was not related to the political crisis between Gulf states but rather was because the tournament should be played only if Kuwait could participate.

The Gulf Cup of Nations, which is held every two years and rotates location, usually involves Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman and Yemen.