(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) In a repeat of a 2012 incident, Oman was disqualified from the 14th World University Futsal Championship, which is currently under way in Antequera, Spain, after the sultanate side didn't turn up for a match against Israel on Friday.
The competition began on July13 and concludes on July 20. At the previous edition of the championship in Braga, Portugal, Oman had refused to play against the Israelis.
In Spain, Oman completed its Group C campaign with three defeats - against Russia (1-15), Azerbaijan (5-6) and Belarus (0-3) - to set up a clash for minor placings against Israel.
An official statement from the organisers said, ''Oman was excluded from the competition, pursuant to the FIFA's Disciplinary Code, under Articles 12 and 56, by the International Supervision, Control & Arbitration Commission (CISCA).''
Besides Oman, Azerbaijan was also disqualified from the tournament due to an irregularity with the status of a player, who did not meet the regulations of the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
Following the disqualification of Oman and Azerbaijan, the playoff matches for 15th and 16 spots were removed. Futsal is primarily an indoor variation of football with five players in each team. The 2014 world championship is part of the FISU's programme featuring 24 editions of the worlds.
The championship takes place every two years and complements the Summer and Winter Universiades, which are also held every alternate year. Oman is participating in the world championship for the third time in a row - in Serbia in 2010 and then Braga in 2012.
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