Friendly match between Mauritania and Iraq called off

Mauritania will play Senegal in July The Mauritania national football team has called off its friendly match against Iraq, which had been initially scheduled to take place in Baghdad next Friday. Iraqi football official Kamel Zaggier explained that the fixture had been postponed due to financial disagreements, adding that the Mauritanian Football Federation wanted a $30,000 purse.
However, Ibrahim Mustafa from the Mauritanian association denied Zaggier\'s claims and told Arabstoday that the friendly match had been called off upon the request of head coach Patrice Neveu.
Mustafa explained that Neveu began preparations for Mourabitounes\' African Cup of Nations (ACN) second round qualifier against Senegal in July, and wanted his players to face a team which poses a physical test like Senegal. However, the French coach felt that Iraq would be unable to test his team in such a way.
Mauritania beat Liberia 2-0 in their ACN first round qualifier at the Olympic stadium in Nouakchott, last December.