Iraq Requests Relocation of Palestine World Cup Qualifier Match

Iraq has requested that their World Cup qualifier against Palestine be moved from Amman, Jordan, rejecting a proposal to host the game near Jerusalem. The IFA cited concerns over integrity and compliance with FIFA regulations surrounding neutral venues. The PFA expressed disappointment at Iraq’s unilateral decision and reiterated their commitment to hosting matches in Palestine. Currently, Iraq holds second place in Group B, while Palestine is last in the standings.

Iraq has formally requested that their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Palestine, scheduled for March 25, be relocated from Amman, the Jordanian capital. The Iraqi Football Association (IFA) rejected Palestine’s suggestion to host the match near Jerusalem. FIFA’s proposal of Amman as a neutral venue was also contested by Iraq, who expressed concerns over adherence to FIFA regulations regarding neutral sites.

A statement from the IFA emphasized their position, stating that playing in Amman would undermine the integrity of the Group B competition, given the closely contested standings among Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine. Currently, Iraq is positioned second in the group with 11 points, just ahead of Jordan and trailing leaders, South Korea.

In response, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) expressed disappointment with Iraq’s refusal to play at the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium, asserting that both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation had deemed the venue suitable for the match. The PFA also criticized the lack of consultation before Iraq’s decision was made public to the AFC and FIFA.

The IFA, while expressing a desire to support Palestinian sports, cited the absence of video assistant referee (VAR) technology at the stadium as a primary reason for their stance. As the situation stands, Palestine occupies the last position in Group B with just three points from six matches, while neither it nor Jordan has ever qualified for a World Cup.

The request by Iraq to move the World Cup qualifier against Palestine from Amman highlights the complexities surrounding neutral venues in international sports. The decision not to play in Palestine reflects deeper issues related to fairness and compliance with FIFA rules. As the standings in Group B remain competitive, the outcome of this match could have significant implications for the teams involved.

Original Source: www.espn.com