QIU LI NOT ELIGIBLE FOR LIONS UNTIL 2010

PHUKET (5 Dec 2008) – FIFA has ruled that Singapore footballer Qiu Li is ineligible to represent the country until 2010 – once he fulfils the body’s five-year residency rule.

The ruling was made during a FIFA Disciplinary Committee meeting in Zurich on December 2.

FIFA also ruled that Singapore has forfeited two FIFA World Cup 2010 Round Three Group Four qualifying matches earlier this year in which Li was fielded.

On June 7, Singapore lost 1-0 away to Uzbekistan and, on June 14, they were beaten 2-0 at home by Saudi Arabia. Both matches now become 3-0 defeats.

Singapore finished third in the group behind winners Saudi and runners-up Uzbekistan and failed to qualify for the fourth round.

Former Chinese national Qiu became a Singapore citizen in May 2008, having lived in the island state since January 2005.