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AFC applauds lifting of Indonesia's FIFA ban, warns against repeat

The Asian Football Confederation has applauded the ending of Indonesia's suspension from FIFA, but warned it would continue to fight any government interference in Southeast Asia's largest country.

The lifting of Indonesia's ban after almost 12 months was announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at Friday's FIFA Congress in Mexico City.

"The AFC Executive Committee reiterated this week their continued stand against government intervention in sport generally and soccer in particular," the Asian governing body said in a statement on Saturday.

"As at their meetings in Delhi last November, Doha in January and Kuala Lumpur in March, the AFC Executive Committee in Mexico City made it clear that there was no place or justification for government interference."

Earlier, the FIFA Congress confirmed Indonesia's return to the international football community while announcing the suspensions of Kuwait and Benin because of government meddling.

Indonesia announced last week that its own sanctions against the domestic soccer association, the PSSI, had ended. The two bodies had been squabbling over which teams should be allowed to play in the Indonesia Super League (ISL).

"The government of Indonesia has advised us that the decree that was causing the suspension had been lifted," said Infantino.

FIFA's ban ruled Indonesia out of the joint 2018 World Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaigns.

Kuwait have been suspended since October, a ban which saw the nation's club side Qadsia SC ejected from the semifinals of the AFC Cup. It opened the way for eventual champions Johor Darul Ta'zim, of Malaysia, to make the final.

"I'm very sad to be here and have to propose to you that we suspend two associations [Kuwait and Benin]," said Infantino. "On the other hand, we need to protect our associations from government interference; it is one of our major tasks."

Indonesia are now expected to play in November's AFF Suzuki Cup and are reportedly planning to bid to host the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.