BAGHDAD: FIFA president Gianni Infantino will not attend Wednesday’s international friendly between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in Basra, despite an invitation from local football authorities.
Iraqi officials had invited Infantino in the hope of convincing world football’s governing body that the country, battered by years of violence and conflict, is fit to host international fixtures, but he has declined to see the first encounter between the teams on Iraqi soil since a Gulf Cup clash in Baghdad in 1979.
“The president will not come to Iraq,” a FIFA spokesperson in Geneva told AFP on Tuesday by telephone.
FIFA must decide next month whether to lift a ban preventing Iraq from hosting competitive international matches. They have played just one competitive fixture at home since 2001 — a 2-0 defeat to Jordan in World Cup qualifying seven years ago. Friendly fixtures on home soil have been sporadic because of the tumultuous security situation.
International football did, however, come back to the country last year when FIFA relaxed the ban, allowing Iraq to record wins over Jordan and Kenya in Basra, and a 1-1 with Syria in Karbala.
Former Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira, who famously guided the Lions of Mesopotamia to a shock Asian Cup triumph in 2007, believes Saudi Arabia’s participation in a friendly in Basra is a major milestone.
“It’s a very important moment for Iraq,” Vieira told Arab News. “The years without football have been challenging for these fans who love the game, and the national team, so much. It is another important step by the Iraq FA. Still there are problems in Iraq, but it’s about creating a safe environment for football to take place.”
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to miss Iraq-Saudi Arabia match
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to miss Iraq-Saudi Arabia match
