FIFA excludes Myanmar from 2018 World Cup

Football's governing body FIFA today excluded Myanmar from the 2018 World Cup and ordered the Asian state to pay a fine over the violence wrought by their supporters during a qualifier with Oman.

Football's governing body FIFA on Friday excluded Myanmar from the 2018 World Cup and ordered the Asian state to pay a fine over the violence wrought by their supporters during a qualifier with Oman.

The 2014 World Cup qualifier between Myanmar and Oman in July was abandoned after home fans in the Yangon stadium pelted the pitch with rocks, shoes and water bottles.

FIFA confirmed the score at the time of interruption of the game at 2-0 for Oman, who had won the first leg of the game at the same score.

"The bureau of the organising committee of the FIFA World Cup confirmed that the result standing at the time of the interruption of the match is final.

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"Therefore, Oman qualified for the next round of Asia's preliminary competition," it added.

Beyond the 2014 World Cup, "the Myanmar Football Federation is excluded from taking part in the matches of the preliminary competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia."

In addition, it would have to pay a fine of 25,000 francs (20,561 euros; $27,758), and bear the costs of the disciplinary proceedings, said FIFA.