Qatari match officials removed due to crisis

FIFA has waded into the escalating Gulf diplomatic crisis by removing a Qatari referee from a 2018 World Cup qualifier following a request from the United Arab Emirates.

The decision was taken due to the “geopolitical situation” in the region, FIFA told The Associated Press on June 11, hours after its president, Gianni Infantino, was quoting as saying soccer’s governing body should not “interfere in geopolitics.”

Qatar, which is hosting the 2022 World Cup, was isolated earlier this week by four Gulf nations, including the UAE, who accuse it of funding terrorism.

FIFA’s statues demand a firm stance against any “political interference” in soccer and countries are often suspended from the international game as a result, but the Zurich-based organization agreed with the UAE federation that the Qataris due to officiate over the game against Thailand in Bangkok on Tuesday should be replaced.

Instead, a referee from Singapore will take charge of the qualifier for next year’s tournament in Russia. He will be assisted by a fellow Singaporean and two officials from Malaysia.

“We can confirm that FIFA has replaced the match officials originally appointed for the said game,” FIFA said in a statement to the AP. “The decision has been taken for sporting reasons and in view of the current geopolitical situation.”