Courtesy: The AFC.com


AFC Futsal C’ship 2010: Qatar to step in if Iraq ban stays

Wednesday, 17 March 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: Iraq will be replaced by Qatar in the AFC Futsal Championship 2010 Finals draw if FIFA’s suspension of the Iraqi FA is not lifted by March 18, 2010.

The draw takes place in the host city of Tashkent on March 19, 2010. The tournament proper will be played in Tashkent from May 23-30.

Lebanon, Iraq and Kuwait had qualified for the final draw from the West Asian zone qualifiers. Lebanon won the top spot in the qualifiers after defeating Iraq in the final.

Qatar were the next best team after losing to Kuwait in the third-fourth place play-off.

FIFA suspended the IFA last year because of government interference in its affairs. This means Iraqi teams and officials are banned from taking part in sanctioned football events.

The other tournaments from which Iraqi teams were excluded this year are the AFC Cup and the AFC Futsal Club Championship.


QUALIFIED TEAMS FOR THE FINALS
China, Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Lebanon, Iraq*, Kuwait, Uzbekistan (hosts), Iran**, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

* Iraq's participation is subject to the lifting of the suspension of the Iraqi FA by FIFA by March 18, 2010.
** Nine-time Champions Iran defeated hosts Thailand 4-0 in the final two years ago.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com