Two Bahraini footballers have been arrested and more than 200 sportsmen suspended for taking part in anti-government protests that threaten the Gulf kingdom's ruling family. The move could leave Bahrain in breach of international rules separating politics and sport. All the men suspended are Shia Muslims. At least 28 people have died and hundreds have been injured in the Sunni regime's efforts to suppress the pro-democracy movement spearheaded by the country's Shia majority.
A'ala and Mohammed Hubail, stars of the national soccer team, were arrested during training with their club, al-Ahli, on Tuesday, local time, after state television broadcast footage of the brothers attending a pro-democracy rally in Pearl Square, in Manama.
A'ala Hubail, 28, was joint top scorer in the 2004 Asian Cup. A paramedic before he turned professional, he worked as a volunteer nurse during the protests.