WUHAN, China: Referees were forced to halt an opening Asian Championship match between Qatar and Uzbekistan Thursday, when four of the five Qatari players purposely fouled out in protest of a FIBA ruling.

The four players committed five personal fouls each within the first six minutes of the match, prompting referees to disqualify them and hand Uzbekistan a 27-12 win.

According to match rules, referees must halt play if one team cannot field at least two players.

Qatari coach Ali Fakhroo said the fouls were committed in protest of an International Basketball Federation (FIBA) ruling making five of the team’s 11 players ineligible for the championships due to their dual nationality, Xinhua news agency said.

Fakhroo said his team would protest in the same way during its Friday match against Iran.