HA NOI (VNS) — The friendly match, which was scheduled for November 12 in Ha Noi between the Viet Nam national football team and Kuwait, has been cancelled, according to the Viet Nam Football Federation.

The reason is that Kuwait, home to influential sports power broker Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, has been suspended from all international activities by FIFA because of government interference in the running of the local association.

Kuwait have twice previously been banned for government interference by FIFA in 2007 and 2008 and a third ban could have significant ramifications for the February elections to decide upon a new leader. — VNS