Fifa Bans Iraq From All Competitions For 12 Months
May 27, 2008
The Asian Champions Iraq have been suspended from all international football for 12 months as a result of the Iraqi governement disbanded the Iraqi national Football Association.
On 20th May a decree led to Iraq’s National Olympic Committee being dissolved, taking with it every national sport federation.
The Fifa ban will be reversed if the decree is cancelled by 29th May. This is only two days before a planned World Cup qualifier against Australia in Brisbane.
Iraq only have 1 point from two games in this qualifying game, after drawing 1-1 with China and losing 2-0 to Qatar.
Sep Blatter (Fifa president) is now hoping that this can be sorted out in time or it would leave the qualifying campaign in chaos for the rest of the teams in the Asian qualifying region.
The now ex-president of Iraq’s Football Association, Hussein Saeed, will travel to Australia this Wednesday to try and convince Fifa to rethink the ban.
If Iraq are permanently removed from competition it would be a huge blow to Asia, after Iraq won the Asian championship in Malaysia last year.
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