[6] On 28 July 2012, it was reported on the Al Arabi Sporting Club website that Adnan signed a one-year deal worth US$500,000 to play for the Kuwaiti Premier League side.

Local human rights activists maintained that the three footballers, together with more than 150 other sportsmen, women and administrators, had been targeted for punishment because they had been involved in protests against the government.

[9][11] On 23 June, it was announced that Mohamed Hubail had been secretly tried and sentenced to two years in prison by the Bahraini special security court established under the martial law regime imposed in March 2011.

Following allegations of government interference in the sport after Mohammed Hubail's prison sentence and the suspension of over 150 athletes, coaches and referees for taking part in anti-government protests, Bahrain faced a ban from world football.

Suspension by FIFA could prevent Bahrain participating in Asian Olympic Games qualifying round match.