SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Kuwait threatened with FIFA ban for government interference

World governing body FIFA has given the Kuwait Football Association until next week to avoid the implementation of a new set of sports laws that FIFA believes threaten the autonomy of the KFA when they are due to come into force on Oct. 27.

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Skip to article content

At FIFA's executive committee meeting on September 25, the body decided to "contact the Kuwait Football Association about the new sport law and warn about a suspension if nothing is done by 15 October 2015 to avoid the implementation of the new law due to come into force on 27 October 2015."

"We can confirm that in accordance with the decision of the Executive Committee a letter was sent to the Kuwait FA," a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.

The world governing body has traditionally taken a dim view of government interference and banned Kuwait's fellow Asian Football Confederation members Indonesia for the offence in May which ruled them out of the ongoing World Cup qualifying campaign.

Kuwait have twice previously been banned for government interference by FIFA in 2007 and 2008 and a third ban could have significant ramifications for the February elections to decide upon a new leader at the Switzerland-based body.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Sheikh Ahmad is a former oil minister, honorary president of the KFA, a member of the FIFA executive committee member and president of the Association of National Olympic Committees.

He carries significant sway in the 47-member Asian Football Confederation, who had previously backed Michel Platini to succeed Sepp Blatter. However, the AFC are understood to be monitoring that position following the ongoing corruption crisis at FIFA.

(Reporting by Simon Evans in Zurich and Patrick Johnston in Singapore; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world