Sheikh Ahmad position on FIFA Executive Committee unaffected despite Kuwait ban

Kuwait has been banned by FIFA due to Government interference ©KFA

Kuwait’s Football Association (KFA) has been suspended from FIFA with immediate effect for Government interference following the passing of a deadline imposed by the world governing body for a controversial new Sports Law to be amended.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the country's Executive Committee member viewed as a key powerbroker in the upcoming contest for FIFA President, has already claimed his position is unaffected by the decision.

“The suspension will be lifted only when the KFA and its members are able to carry out their activities and obligations independently,” FIFA said in a statement.

This follows similar suspensions for the same reason in 2007 and 2008.

In the meantime, Kuwaiti teams and clubs are banned from international competition, and the Association and its members are barred from receiving any FIFA development assistance.

This will disrupt Kuwait's slim hopes of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with the country currently second behind South Korea in Group G of Asian qualifying.

They face the threat of being expelled if the situation is not resolved before their next scheduled game, away to Myanmar on November 17.

Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah is expected to remain on the FIFA Executive Committee despite the suspension ©Getty Images — Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah is expected to remain on the FIFA Executive Committee despite the suspension of the Kuwait Football Association ©Getty Images

The new Sports Law, due to come into force later this month, threatens the autonomy of the KFA, the Kuwait Olympic Committee and all other National Federations, it is claimed.

It would also mean the oil-rich country would no longer comply with the Court of Arbitration for Sport or the World Anti-Doping Agency.

A meeting was held earlier this week in Lausanne involving Government officials and an International Olympic Committee (IOC)-led delegation from the sports world

A similar suspension is set to be introduced by the IOC if a deadline of October 27 is not met.

insidethegames understands there is little prospect of the necessary changes being made in the next 11 days.

Sheikh Ahmad, the influential IOC member who also heads the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees, has already told insidethegames he does not expect the FIFA decision to affect his position on the ruling Executive Committee.

He has emerged as a key behind-the-scenes figure in the race to succeed Sepp Blatter, holding huge power with the Asian Federations but also in other parts of the world.

The International Handball Federation had suspended Kuwait last month for failing to organise an elective General Assembly.