FIFA VS Iraq

It appears that the latest battle in Iraq is being fought between the Iraqi National Football [Soccer] Team and FIFA. The latest saga started when the Iraqi Olympic Committee [which is part of the Iraqi Government] took control and dissolved the Iraqi National Football [Soccer] Team.

The dispute between the Iraqi National Football [Soccer] Team and the Iraqi Olympic Commitee has been of long duration. In fact, the IOC accuses the Iraqi National Football [Soccer] Team of creating the FIFA Ban,

According to the FIFA Statutes, the state and football [soccer] should not mix. FIFA stipulates that each football [soccer] association should have the right to function without the intervention of government.

FIFA has already issued an ultimatum of 72 hours to the Iraqi Olympic Committee to restore the Iraqi Football Association. If there is no action after 72 hours, there is the possibility that the Iraqi crisis may be refrerred to an Emergency Committee which may decide to expel Iraq from Football [Soccer].

It would be a crime that such an extreme measure should happen to a team that has managed to win the Asian Cup only to not qualify for the World Cup. It is also a crime that people who play football [soccer] in Iraq as a way to escape the daily routines of what is happening have to pay the price.

The underwriter agrees with FIFA in the need for the Iraqi Olympic Committee to desist in its interference of the game. It must be remembered that Sports and Politics never mix and should remain separated.