Iraq seeks to shift their World Cup qualifier with Palestine from Amman, Jordan, after rejecting a proposed venue near Jerusalem. Concerns over FIFA’s rules and match integrity were raised, while the Palestinian Football Association expressed disappointment at the unilateral decision. The match’s outcome could impact Group B standings, with Iraq currently in contention for World Cup qualification.
Iraq has requested that their World Cup qualifying match against Palestine, scheduled for March 25, 2023, be relocated from Amman, Jordan. The Iraqi Football Association (IFA) rejected a proposal to hold the match near Jerusalem, highlighting that the last international soccer match in Palestinian territory occurred in October 2019. Since then, Palestine has hosted “home” games at neutral sites, including Qatar, Jordan, and Malaysia.
FIFA suggested Amman as a neutral venue after the Palestinian proposal was declined. However, IFA has formally appealed to FIFA to change the match location, citing potential violations of FIFA’s rules regarding neutral venues. The statement from IFA raised concerns about fairness in the tightly contested Group B, where Iraq is currently in second place, chasing World Cup qualification.
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) expressed disappointment at Iraq’s refusal to play in Palestine, stating that FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation had authorized events at the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium, pending Iraq’s agreement. The PFA was surprised that Iraq made a unilateral decision to decline the venue without consulting them, reaffirming their commitment to host matches on home soil.
The IFA noted that it would prefer to hold the match in Palestine but opted to decline due to the absence of VAR technology at the stadium. FIFA and the AFC have been approached for further comments regarding the situation. As the standings show, Palestine sits at the bottom of Group B with three points, while neither Palestine nor Jordan has qualified for any World Cup finals, and Iraq has qualified once in 1986.
In conclusion, Iraq has demanded a different venue for their upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Palestine, citing fairness concerns and adherence to FIFA rules. The Palestinian authorities expressed disappointment over the rejection of the proposed venue in Palestine. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of international sports amidst regional political tensions.
Original Source: www.espn.com
