FIFA lifts Kuwait’s 2-year ban from international soccer
Ukrainian footballer Andriy Shevchenko (L) dribbles past Kuwait’s Msaed Nada (R) during a friendly ceremonial match between Kuwait all-stars team and Football Champions Tour Legends on December 18, 2015, as part of the inauguration ceremony for the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City. AFP PHOTO / YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP / YASSER AL-ZAYYAT
A general view shows the Kuwait Football Association headquarters in Kuwait City on December 7, 2016.
A lingering sports crisis in Kuwait that triggered international sanctions is seen as part of a power struggle in the Gulf state involving ruling family members and politicians, analysts say. / AFP PHOTO / Yasser Al-Zayyat / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY OMAR HASAN
ZURICH — FIFA says it has lifted Kuwait’s ban from international soccer.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is in Kuwait to confirm the government is no longer interfering in how the soccer federation is being run.
FIFA says the “Kuwait Parliament has adopted a new sports law” which complies with its statutes.
The ban was imposed in October 2015, leaving Kuwait unable to play its World Cup qualifiers. Because the 2019 Asian Cup qualifying program was linked to the World Cup, Kuwait also dropped out of the continental competition.
Kuwait remains suspended by the International Olympic Committee. Its athletes competed at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics as an independent team.
