bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Qatar’s 23-man football squad for the Asian Cup touched down in the United Arab Emirates Saturday on a sports quest which could ultimately be overshadowed by a political dispute.
The Qatar Football Association said the team had arrived in Abu Dhabi, at what is a highly sensitive time for the Gulf, as hosts UAE are among several countries to have imposed a diplomatic and economic boycott on Doha since June 2017.
A tweet by the QFA said the squad had “arrived at Al-Ain airport and the delegation is en route to our team’s hotel”.




Officials and players have vowed to put politics to one side during the almost month-long tournament.
“In the end this is football,” Qatar’s goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb said before embarking for the UAE.
“We just control ourselves and play football,” he said.
But the tournament could prove to be a flashpoint, especially since Qatar play Saudi in a group game in Abu Dhabi on January 17.
The UAE, Saudi and Bahrain – also competing in the cup – accuse Doha of supporting terrorism and seeking closer relations with Shiite powerhouse Iran.
Qatar denies this and claims its regional rivals are seeking regime change in Doha.
UAE draw with Bahrain as late penalty saves hosts in AFC Asian Cup 2019 opening game in Abu Dhabi


Even the Qatari team’s journey to the UAE was a reminder of the politics involved – the squad flew via Kuwait, because of a ban on direct flights imposed against Doha by the UAE, Saudi and Bahrain.
The stop-off was also symbolic as it is Kuwait which has led regional mediation over the 19-month long crisis.
Football has fed into the Gulf dispute, due to calls from among the boycotting nations for Qatar to be stripped of hosting the World Cup in 2022.
Gianni Infantino, the head of world football’s governing body Fifa, has touted increasing participation at the World Cup finals from 32 to 48 teams, saying it could help promote regional cooperation if Doha shared games with its rivals.
It is the first time Qatar’s team has travelled to the UAE since the diplomatic crisis began.
Already politics has cast its shadow over the tournament.
Big stage no problem for championship debutants Yemen, says coach


A leading Qatari official and tournament organiser, Saoud al-Mohannadi, was allegedly barred from entering the UAE on his first attempt, though officials in Abu Dhabi disputed this.
A statement by the Asian Football Confederation on Thursday said it was “investigating the situation” before Mohannadi eventually entered the Emirates on Friday.
Five Qatar-based journalists also claim they were not allowed into the UAE to cover the tournament, after allegedly being kept waiting at Dubai airport for 13 hours before returning to Doha.
Qatar’s opening game is on January 9 against Lebanon in Abu Dhabi.
The Asian Cup, which runs until February 1, started on Saturday with the hosts drawing 1-1 with Bahrain.
AFC Asian Cup 2019: How can I watch the action from the UAE and what time does it kick off?






China 2023 set to be ‘biggest and most watched AFC Asian Cup’

Kim Min-jae outrage shows Chinese football’s thin skin

AFC announces potential bidders for 2027 Asian Cup to get more time

Tokyo 2020 football a dream for China at AFC Under-23 Championship

AFC Asian Cup 2019

Asian Cup: Qatar arrive in UAE for politically charged championship tie

UAE singer Hussain Al Jassmi, Emirati-Yemeni singer Balqees Fathi and UAE folklore singer Eida Al Menhali perform during the opening ceremony of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Sport

Football

Qatar Football Association confirm team arrived safely in Abu Dhabi
Qatar play Saudi Arabia in group game in Abu Dhabi on January 17


Qatar Football Association confirm team arrived safely in Abu Dhabi


Asian Cup: Qatar arrive in UAE for politically charged championship tie

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Qatar Football Association confirm team arrived safely in Abu Dhabi Qatar play Saudi Arabia in group game in Abu Dhabi on January 17

Qatar Football Association confirm team arrived safely in Abu Dhabi

Qatar play Saudi Arabia in group game in Abu Dhabi on January 17