Fielded over-age players in under-17 competition Yemeni footballers kicked out of games [Archives:2002/51/Sports]

Kuala Lumpur, Dec 12, (YT/IRNA)—The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided to deprive Yemen from participating in the upcoming AFC under-17 competitions scheduled for next year in Finland. The AFC also slapped fines and sanctions on Yemen along with Pakistan for fielding over-age players in Asia’s under-17 main rounds, held in the United Arab Emirates in September.
The players concerned and managers of both teams are suspended for two years, keeping them from taking part in the next AFC under-17 event due in 2004.
Both countries were also fined US $10,000.
AFC President Mohammad bin Hammam, in disclosing the sanctions following a meeting of the Executive Committee in Kuala Lumpur on late Wednesday, said that the fines and sanctions were in line with the confederation’s efforts to ensure fair play in its age-group tournaments.
“It shows our determination to ensure that the game is clean at this level. Just as there are incentives for players and teams who excel, we need to also punish those who flout the regulations.
“We will not hesitate to come down harder the next time round on those who are caught cheating. The fact of the matter is that the stern action we have been taking against cheating in the game is showing results.
“It is our belief that fewer teams are now resorting to fielding over-age players. The message of stern action is getting through loud and clear. This is good for the development of the game in Asia,” Hammam said.
Another country sanctioned by the AFC was India—but for another reason.
AFC imposed a one-year ban on India hosting any international football tournaments after failing to provide a report on a mass brawl.
AFC general secretary Peter Velappan said the body was seriously upset that Indian officials had not made a report on a punch-up between players from Calcutta’s Mohan Bagan and Brazilian side Palmeiras.
“Despite numerous reminders and time extensions, the AIFF (All India Football Federation) had yet to submit this report to the AFC,” he told.
Players from both teams were involved in ugly skirmishes during the Indian Football Association Shield. The AIFF was also fined US$5,000.
Vellapan said the AFC took a dim view of the fact that despite numerous reminders and time extensions, the AIFF had not submitted its findings on the incident that was widely publicized in the international media.
The players were suspended for two years from their national teams, while the Pakistan and Yemeni Football Federations were each fined US$10,000 and barred from competing in the next year’s under-17s tournament in 2004, Hammam said.



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