Doha:  The Qatar Football Association (QFA) issued a circular on Wednesday 24 January 2018 regarding the exception given to Yemeni players who can now be registered as resident players in first and second division clubs due to the circumstances in the Republic of Yemen, which have had a negative impact on the Yemen Football Association’s (YFA) competitions, and led to the interruption of its’ football competitions.     Accordingly, the QFA Executive Committee made a decision allowing first division clubs to register only one player of the Yemeni nationality as a resident player in its’ first team or U-23 team, resulting in the increase of the number of resident players from 6 to 7 players within the 23-players’ squad.     The decision also states that second division clubs are now allowed to register only one player of the Yemeni nationality as a resident player residing in its’ first team, resulting in the increase of the number of resident players from 3 to 4 players within the 26-players’ squad.     The QFA’s Executive Committee is effective immediately of and is only applicable for the remainder of the 2017-2018 football season.     Saoud Al Mohannadi, Vice President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) said “QFA’s decision regarding the Yemeni players’ status, which now considers players with a Yemeni nationality as resident players of first and second division Qatari clubs, acts as support to the Republic of Yemen and Yemeni sport in particular, considering the harsh conditions the country has faced, which has affected its’ football activity and stopped its competition schedule, despite the continued efforts of the YFA to ensure the participation of some of its’ national teams in international competitions.”     “The QFA constantly aims to support its’ sister football associations and has decided to support the Yemeni players in recognition of the good relations between the QFA and the YFA. This decision intends to prepare the Yemeni players in the best possible way through their participation in the Qatari first and second division leagues, and allow them to gain more experience through increased participation in the game. We hope to witness the desired results in the near future and hope that our decision has great positive impact on the Yemeni player’s football career.”