FIFA suspends Kuwait for government interference

Kuwait's soccer team has been suspended from international soccer for government interference. (Andrew Taylor/AP)

ZURICH — FIFA has postponed Kuwait’s next World Cup qualifying match because its federation is suspended from international soccer for government interference.

Kuwait was to play at Myanmar in neutral Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday in an Asian qualifying group.

FIFA says "taking into account the suspension (the match) cannot take place."

The ban was imposed last month after the FIFA executive committee — including Kuwaiti royal Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah — set Kuwait a deadline to change its sports law. The IOC also suspended Kuwait.

It is unclear when the postponed match can be played. Kuwait already has two qualifiers scheduled in March when the current group phase ends.

Kuwait is second behind South Korea in Group G. Eight group winners and the four best runners-up advance to the next round.

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