Kuwait football clubs devastated by FIFA decision to maintain suspension

Mexico City - May 13, 2016 – The delegation of Kuwait football clubs present in Mexico City at the 66th FIFA Congress is shocked and deeply saddened by the decision taken today to maintain the suspension of football in Kuwait. This decision by FIFA was made on the grounds that a draft law – which has never been enacted by the Kuwait National Assembly – would allow the government to interfere with the management of football clubs, despite the fact that a majority of eleven football clubs in Kuwait signed and sent a joint letter to FIFA stating their complete autonomy in their activities and do not suffer from any government interference.

Before the Congress were set to vote on the suspension, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his desire to quickly resolve the suspension of Kuwait by doing an investigation into the matter. However, the Kuwait Football Clubs delegation still cannot understand how FIFA can suspend a country first and then create an Investigation Committee into the original suspension. Football must be a priority and a country should be given a fair chance to prove its case before a suspension is given, it is not right to assume guilt before doing a fair and proper investigation into the grounds of the original suspension.

As a consequence of this devastating decision, all football activities on the international stage, development programs from elite to grassroots as well as all initiatives destined to promote the sport amongst the youth will be completely stopped for at least one year. The members representing the football community of Kuwait now fear the consequences of such a decision, not only for the future of the sport in the country, but also for future generations.

Mr. Saad Al-Hootie, former captain of the Kuwait national team and spokesperson for the Kuwait Football Clubs delegation (which comprises of five clubs) in Mexico City said: "This is a sad day for football in Kuwait, our sport is hurting. Today FIFA decided to keep the suspension and to contribute to the extinction of the sport in our country. Football is very important to us, it runs in our blood, in our hearts, in our soul. I am afraid to say that I am very pessimistic for the future of the sport in Kuwait."

Mr. Abdullah Al-Maayouf, member of the National Assembly of Kuwait said: "Today was a very important day for the new FIFA administration as they had the opportunity to prove that the old political games were behind them. Today, the results of the vote prove that nothing has changed. The grounds on which FIFA based its decision to suspend football in Kuwait are not supported by any concrete evidence of government interference. Our clubs in Kuwait signed a letter sent to the FIFA President to confirm they are completely autonomous. Kuwait is a democratic country with a National Assembly that is freely elected by its citizens. Our government and our people are vested in sport – particularly in football – because we are convinced that football is a powerful tool to avoid social problems and create better societies. We are very sad to see that the Kuwaiti sport leaders who are very influential in international sport prefer to push their personal political agendas instead of caring for the Kuwaiti’s passion for football and our future generations. Words cannot express my disappointment today."

As it has been offered in the past, FIFA and the new Council are welcome to visit Kuwait anytime so that they can take note of the absence of government interference in football.

For more information, send an email to: kuwait.football.clubs@gmail.com

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