LaLiga: Real Betis to open an academy in Baghdad (Iraq) in January 2021, their sixth outside Spain

"In January 2021, Real Betis Balompié (LaLiga Santander) and its Foundation will launch the first Betis Academy in Iraq, in the capital Baghdad, in order to develop football in the region by applying the club's methodology," announced the club on 09/12/2020.

"This new project, aimed at 400 boys and girls, will be developed in the facilities of the Faculty of Sports Science at the University of Baghdad, in a country that is passionate about football and which already hosts the academies of RCD Espanyol, Club Deportivo Leganés, Galatasaray SK (Süper Lig) and soon Real Madrid CF. In addition to the academy's activities, trips to Seville (Andalusia, ESP) will be organised so that the children can enjoy 'Betis VIP' experiences through the 'Behind The Scenes' programme," says the Andalusian club. A sports coordinator will visit the site when the health situation permits and will supervise the establishment of the academy from a distance, from Spain, in the meantime.

"This new academy joins those already present in China, Morocco, the United States, Mexico and Zimbabwe (see below), and is…