Iraq has dismissed Jerusalem as a venue for their World Cup qualifier against Palestine, opting to move the match from Amman. The IFA’s refusal stems from concerns over FIFA regulations regarding neutral venues and the lack of VAR technology at the proposed site. The PFA expressed disappointment over this decision, highlighting the implications for their home match aspirations.
Iraq has dismissed Jerusalem as a venue for their World Cup qualifier against Palestine, opting to move the match from Amman, the Jordanian capital. The Iraqi Football Association (IFA) rejected a Palestinian offer to hold the game near Jerusalem, stating that playing in Amman contradicted FIFA’s neutral venue regulations. The last soccer international in Palestinian territories was played in October 2019, with subsequent Palestinian home fixtures taking place at neutral sites in Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, and Malaysia.
Palestine is scheduled to host Iraq in a Group B match on March 25 as part of the third round of Asian qualifying. After the rejected proposal to play in the Palestinian territories, FIFA suggested Amman as a temporary neutral venue. The IFA has expressed concerns about the integrity of the competition, as Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine are in direct competition for World Cup qualifying.
In their statement, the IFA highlighted that this decision poses significant questions regarding the fairness of the matches due to the close standings among the teams in Group B. Currently, Iraq holds second place with 11 points, while Jordan trails by two points. The top two teams from this group qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals in North America.
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) responded with disappointment regarding Iraq’s refusal to play in Al-Ram, near Jerusalem. They noted that FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had previously inspected the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium and deemed it suitable for hosting the match, contingent upon Iraq’s consent. The PFA lamented the unilateral decision made by the IFA without prior consultation.
In summary, Iraq’s rejection of Jerusalem as a venue for their World Cup qualifier against Palestine has raised concerns about the tournament’s integrity. The IFA insists on moving the match to another city, citing FIFA regulations, while the PFA emphasizes their commitment to hosting matches on their territory. This situation poses significant implications for the teams competing in Group B and the broader context of the World Cup qualifiers.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
