FIFA have ordered two World Cup qualifying matches involving suspended nation Kuwait be forfeited and has fined the country’s Football Association ©KFA

FIFA have ordered two World Cup qualifying matches involving suspended nation Kuwait be forfeited and have fined the country’s Football Association a total of CHF30,000 (£22,000/€28,000), it has been announced.

Kuwait were due to face Laos at the Al Kuwait SC Stadium on March 24 and were also scheduled to take on South Korea in Group G at the Daegu World Cup Stadium on March 29, in what would have been the last match of the round.

The two contests were called off due to the fact that the Kuwait Football Association (KFA) is still banned by world football’s governing body because of alleged Governmental interference, which prevented them from voting in February’s Presidential Election, where Gianni Infantino was chosen as the new head of the scandal-hit organisation.

Both Laos and South Korea have been awarded 3-0 victories.

“The Disciplinary Committee has decided that both of the matches should be forfeited, in accordance with art. 31 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” a FIFA statement read.

“Furthermore, the Kuwait Football Association has been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 15,000 for each of the unplayed matches after being found liable for the violation of art. 6 par. 5 of the Regulations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and art. 56 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

“In both cases, the Kuwait Football Association was also issued with a warning and a reprimand.”

South Korea have been awarded the victory against Kuwait after the match was called off due to the country's FIFA suspension
South Korea have been awarded the victory against Kuwait after the match was called off due to the country's FIFA suspension ©Getty Images

The ruling from FIFA ends any feint hopes of Kuwait reaching the next round as they were second in the group and could have still technically advanced as one of the best runners-up had they been allowed to play.

The Kuwaitis had already been forced to forfeit their away trip to Myanmar in November because of the sanctions against them.

They were fined CHF10,000 (£7,400/$10,000/€9,000) by FIFA for failing to fulfill the fixture.

The decision from FIFA followed Kuwait's suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who acted after a new sports law was passed in the country.

It was claimed by the IOC that the new law threatened the autonomy of sports bodies and federations.

insidethegames was recently told progress towards lifting Kuwait's ban from the IOC has stalled once again following unsuccessful negotiations with Government officials.

Unless there is an unexpected breakthrough over the next two months, Kuwait's suspension will not be lifted in time for them to compete at this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

A decision is expected to be made at an IOC Executive Board meeting due to take place in Lausanne in June.