Iraq has requested a change of venue for their World Cup qualifier against Palestine from Amman to ensure adherence to FIFA rules. The IFA expressed concerns regarding the integrity of the match, while the PFA voiced disappointment and reaffirmed their commitment to host matches in Palestine. The absence of VAR technology influenced Iraq’s decision, reflecting ongoing challenges faced by the Palestinian football team.
Iraq is seeking to relocate their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Palestine from Amman, Jordan, after rejecting a Palestinian proposal to host the match near Jerusalem. The last football international held in the Palestinian territories was in October 2019. Since then, Palestine has played their home games at neutral locations including Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, and Malaysia.
Scheduled for March 25, Iraq is set to face Palestine in a Group B match during the third round of Asian qualifying. After rejecting the idea of hosting the match in Palestine, FIFA suggested Amman as a neutral site. The Iraqi Football Association (IFA) stated that they object to this venue due to potential violations of FIFA’s regulations concerning neutral grounds.
In a statement, the IFA expressed concerns about the integrity of the competition resulting from the choice of venue, given the competitive standings in Group B. Currently, Iraq sits in second place with 11 points, closely trailed by Jordan, while South Korea leads.
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) expressed disappointment over Iraq’s decision to not play at the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium in Al-Ram, Jerusalem. The PFA highlighted that both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had assessed the stadium and deemed it suitable, pending agreement from Iraq. They expressed surprise at Iraq’s unilateral decision and emphasized their commitment to hosting matches on home soil.
The IFA clarified their refusal to play in Palestine due to the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology at the stadium. Meanwhile, Palestine remains at the bottom of Group B with just three points after six matches, while Iraq once competed in the World Cup in 1986, where they did not secure any victories.
In summary, Iraq’s request to change the venue for their World Cup qualifying match against Palestine highlights tensions regarding site selection and adherence to FIFA regulations. Both associations expressed disappointment and concern over fair competition amid the group’s standings. The situation underscores the complexities faced by Palestinian teams in international football.
Original Source: www.espn.com
