Qatar, UAE matches become political footballs in Gulf crisis

DOHA, Feb 11 (AFP): An Abu Dhabi football ground may seem an unlikely venue for a rare let-up in a protracted diplomatic crisis, but a match between Qatari and Emirati clubs marks a first since Doha's neighbours imposed a crippling blockade.

On Monday, the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium will see the United Arab Emirates' Al Jazira take on Qatar's Al-Gharafa in the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

That will be the first time since the bitter dispute began on June 5 that sports teams from rival sides face each other on their respective territory.

"It's the one and only breach of the diplomatic and political boycott of Qatar since June," said James Dorsey, a specialist in Middle East football and politics and a senior fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut all ties with Qatar over its alleged support for Islamist extremists and proximity to Shiite Iran-charges Doha denies.