DOHA: In a telling message for world peace, football players of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyztan posed behind a banner urging regional leaders keep politics out of sport. The two teams were photographed with the special banner before their match at the International Football Tournament for U-23 teams. The rare gesture from two visiting teams was witnessed at one of the football pitches at Aspire Academy where the event is being held. The banner read"KEEP POLITICS AWAY FROM FOOTBALL". The sporting gesture came as the Gulf crisis lingers on the region. The tournament has been organised by Qatar Football Federation (QFA) so So Anabi prepares for this month's Asian Cup qualifiers. World body FIFA has explicitly banned political interference from football. A number of top football names like Xavi, Dr Boer brothers and Iker Casillas have urged the protesting countries to end their siege against Qatar. The blockade against Qatar has lasted more than a month.