Bahrain assure FIFA of players' freedoms

FIFA says Bahraini football officials gave assurances that national team players haven't been disciplined during political turmoil in the Gulf kingdom.

FIFA asked for details after reports last week that Bahrain international Mohammed Hubail received a two-year prison sentence for joining anti-government protests, and that his brother Alaa had also gone on trial.

FIFA says the Bahrain Football Association replied and "confirmed that it had not suspended or sanctioned any athlete."

Bahraini FA President Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa is a member of the ruling royal family.

Sheik Salman is a likely candidate to lead the Asian Football Confederation if FIFA bans suspended president Mohamed bin Hammam in an ongoing bribery investigation.