Laos banned for fielding over age player: Faisal

LAHORE—Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has imposed a one year ban on Laos Football Federation (LFF) in age-group events for fielding an overaged player in the AFCU-13 Festival of Football in 2005. The LFF has also been ordered to pay a fine of US$ 15,000.
This was stated by President, Pakistan Football Federation(PFF), Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat who is also a member of AFCdisciplinary committee here on Wednesday. Faisal attended the 9th AFC Disciplinary CommitteeMeeting which took place at AFC House, in Kuala Lumpur lastFriday.
Laos player Keophonesay Sinthalavong has been suspendedfor one year while team manager Thongsone Phoutsavath andHead Coach Khamsay Chanthavong have also been banned for oneyear in all football related activities.
PFF Chief said, the one-year duration for all three cases will be from the date of the provisional suspension i.e. from August 31, till August next year.
Faisal, also Federal Minister for Environment, added, "Suspicions were raised when Laos named the same player in their squad for the AFC U-17 Championship in Singapore. Laos tried to pass the 15-year-old off as a 12-year-old in a tournament they hosted in April." The ban is a blow for impoverished Laos. They have experienced most of their limited success in world soccer at youth level having failed to qualify for the World Cup, Asian Games, Asian Cup or Olympics.
He said more cases were discussed in the meeting. Tajikistan Football Federation (TFF) have been ordered to pay a fine of US$ 20,000 for failing to adhere and carry out instructions issued by the AFC regarding the verification of identities of two Tajikistan players Ravshanov Askarjon and Ravshanov Askardjon. The sanction is pursuant to Art. 16.5 of the AFC Statutes.
"Al Karameh club of Syria have been fined US$ 10,000 for spectator misconduct during their AFC Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia on September 20, 2006", said President PFF. The club has also been given a stern warning to ensure that such incidents do not occur in future, he said.—Agencies