Kuwait's Al Arabi kicked out of Arab Champions League

Kuwait's Al-Arabi players celebrate their goal against UAE's Sharja during their GCC Champions League soccer match in Kuwait September 3, 2007. Al Arabi have been kicked out of the Arab Champions League as a result of the ban imposed on the country this week, the Arab Football Union said.

ALGIERS (Reuters) - Kuwait's Al Arabi have been kicked out of the Arab Champions League as a result of the ban imposed on the country this week, the Arab Football Union said.

Algerian club USM Alger have been handed a bye into the last eight of the competition at the expense of Al Arabi, who won the first leg of the second-round tie 3-2. The second leg was scheduled for this month.

FIFA suspended Kuwait from all international matches this week because of governmental interference in the national game.

The suspension could rule the Gulf state out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, for which qualifiers resume this month.