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DUBAI, June 22 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates Football Association have quashed a life ban from the national team given to striker Zuhair Bakhit in 1997, the Gulf News reported. The Al Wasl striker, a member of the UAE squad that reached the 1996 Asian Cup final, was banned after a row with then-coach Milan Macala and his failure to turn up on time for a training camp before the Confederations Cup in Riyadh.

But under new president Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nanyan, the federation decided on Thursday to lift the ban, clearing the way for Bakhit to play in the second round of Asia's World Cup qualifying tournament.

The Emirates have been drawn with China, Oman, Uzbekistan and Qatar in Group B of Asia's second phase, which kicks off on August 17.