FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Sydney, Australia- Monday 26 May 2008 - In breaking soccer news today, FIFA has provisionally suspended the Iraqi Futbol Association from all International competitions following last weeks decree by the Iraqi Government that disolved the Iraqi National Olympic Committee along with all other sports federations throughout the country.The FIFA decision was handed down ahead of this weekends World Cup qualifying match against Australia. FIFA has offered Iraq the chance to avoid the suspention by saying that they have until Thursday to reinstate their National Olympic Commitee and National Futbol Team and provide FIFA in writing, proof that these actions have been taken.

This comes as quite a blow to Iraqi fans who less than a year ago saw their team win the Asian Cup final in a fairytale 1-Nil ending against Saudi Arabia. Soccer is the number one sport in Iraq and has been one of the few things to offer joy and excitement in the war torn country. FIFA President Sepp Blatter issued a news release to the Australian press saying:

"We have asked the government to withdraw its decision against the Iraq Football Association and we believe the International Olympic Commitee has also made the same request and threatened the same punishment (suspension) as FIFA."

Blatter said he "could not imagine that this belligerent situation" would lead to Iraq not taking part in the rest of the Asian World Cup qualifiers.

"Iraq are the Asian champions and brought so much hope and joy to their country when they won the final in Malaysia last year. I am confident there is enough pressure on the government to help them change their mind."

Baghdad's Response to the Reuters News Agency - Iraq will not back down from a decision to dissolve the country's Olympic Committee even if it leads to its soccer team being thrown out of the World Cup, Sports Minister Jasem Mohammed Jaafar said. "We have received a letter from FIFA regarding the participation of Iraq in the World and Asian soccer competition," he said in an interview.

"We have replied to them (FIFA) in a formal letter yesterday, telling them that the disbanding ... doesn't cover the sports federations in which the soccer federation is included," Jaafar said.

"If FIFA insists on banning Iraq from participating in the next World Cup competition, the government won't pull back from its decision ... for the sake of a football match," he said.

                            The 2007 Iraqi National Soccer Team.