FIFA have barred Iraq from hosting football matches, including qualifiers for the upcoming Olympics and World Cup, until further notice, an Iraqi Football Association (IFA) official told AFP on Thursday. Iraq had previously hosted games at the Francois Hariri Stadium in Arbil, most recently on September 2 when the hosts and 2007 Asian champions lost 2-0 to Jordan. "We have received a message from FIFA that says that Iraqi football matches are not allowed from now on in Francois Hariri stadium, and they must be transferred out of the country to a place chosen by Iraq within 10 days," IFA Secretary Tareq Ahmed told AFP. Ahmed said the decision was taken by FIFA following the September 2 match due to the poor administration and organisation surrounding it. In particular, the match was delayed for 10 minutes because of a power cut, and the stadium appeared to have significantly more spectators than its capacity of 12,400. Arbil is the capital of the autonomous Iraqi region of Kurdistan, which is widely seen as much safer than the rest of the country. Iraq are currently third in Group A of Asian qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, behind Jordan and China, but ahead of Singapore. They next play China in Shenzhen on October 11. The country are also last in Group B of Asian qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics, behind Uzbekistan, Australia and the UAE.
GMT 10:11 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Russian speed skater An 'banned from Olympics for doping'GMT 15:54 2018 Sunday ,21 January
Unbeaten Garcia title fight with Lipinets moved to MarchGMT 09:22 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Stokes available for England selection despite chargeGMT 14:36 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
Barcelona's Dembele suffers new injury setbackGMT 10:22 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
England's Stokes charged with affray over nightclub fightGMT 15:06 2018 Monday ,15 January
Rock-bottom Cologne shock GladbachGMT 07:37 2018 Sunday ,14 January
Spanish tax authorities scrutinise Messi foundationGMT 06:54 2018 Sunday ,14 January
Del Potro ready for Melbourne despite Auckland lossMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor