Head of Kuwait's Olympic Committee and Soccer Federation, Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al-Sabah said in Amman Wednesday that his country’s soccer team will not play against Iraq's in the Asian Cup Championship (ACC), in case an encounter between the two teams becomes a status quo.
"We will not play against Iraq, that has detained our sons since 1990, even if we qualify to the finals," AFP quoted the Kuwaiti official as saying.
Sabah was referring to the case of the more than 600 Kuwaiti prisoners, the Gulf country claims Iraq has been withholding since the Gulf War.
Kuwait will boycott all events that might lead them to come face to face with Iraqi athletes, he said, adding "our case is fair and we believe in it. Unless Iraq frees our prisoners, and fully complies to the UN resolutions, we will not meet them."
The Asian soccer championship is scheduled to take place in Beirut, Lebanon between October 12th-27th.
Although Kuwaiti players will be taking part in two consecutive competitions, the ACC and Sydney's Olympics, Sabah voiced his belief that the team will do a good job in both events.
"Our team will do their best and appear in a very good shape," he said.
The official told AFP the Kuwaiti delegation is on a four-day visit to Jordan to discuss aspects of cooperation between the two countries in the sports field.
He is due to meet Thursday Prince Ali, Head of Jordan Football Association, for that purpose – Albawaba.com
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