By Andrew Warshaw
January 31 – Qatar’s hopes of participating in this summer’s London Olympics have been dealt a potentially critical blow after FIFA ruled they fielded an ineligible player in last year’s 1-1 draw against Oman in Muscat.
Midfielder Abdelaziz Hatim (pictured right) had already been booked twice – against India and South Korea – and should therefore not have been on the pitch for the November 27 qualifier.
As per its regulations, FIFA have instead awarded Oman a 3-0 victory while the Qatar Football Association (QFA) has been fined $7,600 (£4,830/€5,830).
The decision means Qatar have slipped to third place in Group A with two points but have a chance to reduce the gap when they host Oman, now second in the group behind South Korea, on Sunday.
The three top teams from Asia qualify for the Olympic men’s tournament and the ruling is not only a blow for Qatar on the field but somewhat of a public relations embarrassment off it.
Rightly or wrongly, the tiny Gulf state is constantly having to justify being granted the 2022 World Cup, while Doha is also planning to bid for the 2020 Olympics.
Applicant cities for the 2020 Games, which also comprise Baku, Istanbul, Madrid, Rome and Tokyo, have until February 15 to submit their application files and guarantee letters to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
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