By David Gold
August 20 – Following Syria’s suspension from the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualification programme, the country has claimed that FIFA’s decision to kick them out of the competition was politically motivated.
Syria fielded a striker, George Mourad, during the qualifier with Tajikistan which they initially won 6-1, but the player had previously represented Sweden during qualifying for the Olympic Games.
FIFA ruled that he was ineligible and expelled the Syrians from the competition, though Syria believe they did not need the dispensation of world football’s governing body to field the player.
FIFA’s ruling came just days after Western nations ratcheted up the pressure on the Syrian Government for its continued attempt to quash opposition to President Bashar Assad’s rule using force.
The Syrian regime has become increasingly isolated as its support in the Arab world starts to recede, though it retains the crucial support of longtime ally Iran, and has faced continued uprisings from demonstrators demanding political freedom in recent months as pro-democracy movements spring up across the Arab world.
Syria were due to compete alongside Japan, Uzbekistan and North Korea in the group stage of the qualifying programme.
Syrian Football Federation President Faruoq Saria said: “The Federation took all of the necessary procedures to ensure participation of the mentioned player in accordance with FIFA regulations.
“FIFA bylaw with regard to approval of player transfer from the Swedish federation, does not need approval from FIFA, only from the transferred to federation, according to FIFA bylaw.
“The decision was politicised.”
Saria confirmed that Syria is appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland to retain hope of qualifying for the first World Cup in their nation’s history.
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