Iraq: Asian confederation to support lifting the ban on international matches

AFC (Asian Football Confederation) supports Iraq's bid to lift FIFA's (Federation Internationale de Football Association) ban on hosting international matches for security reasons, the Asian body announced, on the 11/10/2013.

"Both FIFA and AFC have agreed that the continental governing body will send a working team to assess the situation. The team will present a full report to FIFA which will help them in this issue," said AFC.

In a meeting in Zurich (Switzerland) on the 03 and 04/10/2013, FIFA's executive committee rejected "a request from the Iraqi Football Association to lift the ban on playing international friendly matches in Iraq - the situation will continue to be monitored."

The XXII Gulf Cup, scheduled for December 2014 or early 2015 in Basra (Iraq), will eventually be played in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), due to FIFA's ban on international meetings on Iraqi soil, GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) decided, on the 08/10/2013. The GCC is composed of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

In protest, Iraq decided to withdraw from the tournament. Iraqi…