Qatar's diplomatic crisis "has raised concerns" about its ability to host int'l sport, with this winter's Gulf Cup of Nations "tipped to be the first event" to be canceled, according to Matt Slater of the IRISH INDEPENDENT. Four of the eight nations involved in the Gulf Cup of Nations are among the countries to have cut ties with Qatar, "claiming the small but wealthy Gulf state" has destabilized the region by funding militants. The '17 tournament was scheduled to take place in Kuwait, "but Qatar stepped in because Kuwait is suspended by FIFA for alleged government interference in sporting affairs." The competition is sanctioned by the Union of Arab FAs, which is based in Saudi Arabia, "perhaps Qatar's fiercest critic." Attempts to reach the Arab Gulf Cup Federation, Qatar FA and UAFA for comment "have so far gone unanswered." Gulf expert Kristian Ulrichsen said that "pretty serious delays in the building work" were inevitable if "the blockade" lasts for a few more weeks or months. Ulrichsen: "The scale of the projects being planned for the World Cup means there is an awful lot of material to come from supply chains around the world." Stadium expert Paul Fletcher, however, said that he believes Qatar "is in good shape to complete the work." Fletcher: "They seem to have everything in place: architects, project management teams, construction companies, etc." (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 6/7).
