The Board of Executive Committee of Cambodian Football Federation (CFF) has agreed with the majority of the 36 football clubs joining the Prime Minister Hun Sen Cup Football Tournament.

But the CFF decided that no foreign players will be allowed to enter the match which will start on Saturday, CFF official told Xinhua on Friday.

"The football clubs from provinces and cities want to know the ability and techniques of local football players, therefore they request not to permit foreign football players in the match," said Yean Chheng, secretary general of CFF.

The problem arose from the Khemera Football Club with three Nigerian and one Congolese players, the Phnom Penh Empire Club with four Nigerians and one Ghanian players, and the NAGA Corp Club, which allegedly spent much money hiring and training two Camerounian footballers.

Sim Daravuth, the NAGA Football Club's president, said that "we regret that our two foreign football players are not allowed to play in the Hun Sen Cup tournament, but we need to follow the CFF rule."

For the tournament to be held from Jan. 13 to 24 at the Olympic Stadium, the champions will receive the cup with some 10,000 U.S. dollars prize, while runners-up can have 5,000 U.S. dollars and bronze medalists 2,500 U.S. dollars.

Source: Xinhua