Nidhish Waghmare
The Kuwait Football Association (KFA) board has resigned en masse following a series of mismanagement issues during a World Cup qualifying match against Iraq, which raised serious concerns about the organization and safety of fans. This decision comes in the wake of an investigation into the chaotic events that unfolded during the match, highlighting significant failures in planning and execution.
KFA resignation due to irresponsibility
The World Cup qualifier between Kuwait and Iraq resulted in spectators being kept in intense heat for hours, leading to the resignation of the entire board of the football regulatory body of Kuwait. As a result of an investigation into the ticketing and logistical issues that clouded Tuesday’s game at the 60,000-seat Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, board members resigned, the Kuwait Football Association announced late on Saturday.
The statement was cited by Kuwait’s official KUNA news agency, which said, “The board members of the Kuwait Football Association tendered resignations en masse.” The association’s website states that there were seven members of the board. Additionally, the association accepted the resignations of Mohamed Bou Abbas, the head of public relations, and Salah al-Qanai, the secretary-general.
Fans distress and safety concerns
Due to what the association referred to as “unacceptable events,” they had been suspended since Wednesday.In temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), fans passed out and begged for water from the personnel. While some fans who had purchased tickets were turned away, others who did not have tickets were permitted entry.
Adding to the turmoil, there were reports of ticketed fans being denied access to the stadium while non-ticket holders were allowed in. This inconsistency created confusion and frustration among supporters, many of whom had traveled significant distances to attend the match. The KFA’s failure to manage the situation effectively has drawn widespread criticism from fans, media, and football analysts alike.
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