FILE PHOTO. Reuters
Baghdad: Iraqi football bodies highlighted the role Qatar played in lifting the ban over holding international matches in Iraqi stadium, praising the efforts of Qatar Football Association in helping Iraqi football regain international matches.
Iraq awaits the outcomes of a meeting of FIFA's executive committee in Colombia, which will discuss among other things lifting the ban enforced on Iraqi stadiums. The ban has been in place for 15 years. The lifting of the ban will represent a new phase in Iraqi sports in general and football in particular. The country's long and intense efforts in that regard came to fruit in May 2016 when FIFA partially lifted the ban, allowing just three stadiums to host international matches.
President of the Iraq Football Association Abdul Khaleq Masoud said that Arab and Gulf countries in general, and Qatar in particular, have played a crucial part in the efforts to lift the ban. He noted that Qatar was one of the first countries to support lifting the ban, particularly after the success Iraq has had in hosting matches with fans in Al Basra. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Masoud said that efforts to lift the ban have been going on for four years. He also stressed that Iraqi teams have a right to play their international matches within their borders with the support of their fans.
For his part, the country's Minister of Youth and Sports Abdul-Hussein Abtaan said he was optimistic over the chances of FIFA lifting the ban as the country has fulfilled all the requirements. He also expressed his hope that FIFA's decision will see a complete end of the ban rather than a partial one, especially after Iraq's recent success in hosting international matches.
Former International player for Iraq Naieem Saddam told QNA that Iraqi fans have waited a long time for an end to the ban, highlighting the role Qatar played in that regard.
Qatar Football Association had visited Iraq recently with President of the Association Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani saying that Qatar strongly supports an end to the ban.
