FIFA suspend Iraq from international competition

FIFA Monday suspended Iraq from international competition ahead of this weekend’s World Cup qualifier against Australia after the government in Baghdad dissolved the Iraq Football Association.

“The FIFA Executive Committee decided to suspend the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) as of today,” FIFA said in a statement on the sidelines of their annual congress here.

But it offered a glimmer of hope to Iraq by saying the suspension could be lifted if they receive written confirmation by Thursday from the Iraqi government that the decree to dissolve the association has been annulled.

The Iraqi government dissolved the Iraqi National Olympic Committee and all national sport federations on May 20.

Iraq are due to play Australia in Brisbane on Sunday.