An official of the Qatar Football Federation enters the UAE after being banned from the Cup of Asia

A Qatari official entered the UAE after 24 years barred from attending the finals of the Asian Cup, although he chairs his organizing committee due to diplomatic differences between the two countries.

Saud Al-Mohannadi, vice president of the AFC and Qatari FA, arrived in Abu Dhabi Friday morning, according to the AFC.

The union said in a statement that it "was aware of reports that al-Muhannadi would not have been able to travel to the United Arab Emirates from the Omani capital, Muscat".

The statement adds: "We are investigating the case and we will ensure that all members of the organizing committee's visas".

The United Arab Emirates will host the Asian Cup this month.

Countries that have imposed a total seat in Qatar since June 2017 – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain – are participating in the tournament. The blockade ensures that direct flights between these countries and Qatar are prohibited and that blockaded states also prevent Qatari planes from crossing their airspace.

Qatar participates in this Asian tournament and the draw has been established by the Saudi group.

This was the first match played by a Qatari team in the United Arab Emirates since the crisis between Doha and its Gulf neighbors. The Qatari team will arrive in the UAE on January 5th on a flight from Kuwait.

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Countries accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism and rapprochement with Iran, the crime of Saudi Arabia in the region, which Doha denies.

Qatar hosts the World Cup in 2022.