Kuwait "looks set to be kicked out of World Cup qualifying" after failing to resolve a case of government interference in its local FA before Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Myanmar, according to Patrick Johnston of REUTERS. The Kuwait FA was "suspended from FIFA last month because of the issue," three days after the national team drew 0-0 at home to Lebanon in a World Cup qualifier. Kuwait had been scheduled to play Myanmar on Tuesday in its sixth fixture in Asian qualifying Group G but "the FIFA ban prevents" it from taking part in int'l competition (REUTERS, 11/18).
NOW OR NEVER: In London, Adrian Kajumba wrote Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger has "urged FIFA to restructure" football's int'l calendar -- or risk clubs "going it alone to form their own breakaway competitions." Wenger has "issued a stark warning" to the global game's governing body and told them it is "now or never" if it wants a revamp, and reorganizing the "punishing" int'l football schedule should be one of their "top priorities." Wenger: "We face a situation where it's impossible for the players to get through a season and have rest" (DAILY MIRROR, 11/17).
SHAMEFUL: REUTERS' Ece Toksabay wrote chants of "Allahu Akbar" were "heard in Istanbul as some Turkey fans shamefully booed a pre-match minute's silence for the victims of the Paris attacks." Loud jeering was "audible as players from both sides stood silently" in the center circle before kickoff, with reported shouts of "Allahu Akbar" -- the Islamic phrase meaning "God is greater" -- filtering through the stands. After the match, Turkey Manager Fatih Terim said, "Our fans should have behaved during the national anthems and during the one minute silence. Greece is our neighbor. Today is world neighbors day, but our fans didn't behave like neighbors in this match" (REUTERS, 11/18).
