FIFA suspends Iraq for political meddling

[sabra]

Source: AP

ZURICH — FIFA suspended Iraq from soccer because of political interference in the national federation.

Soccer's world governing body says it is "unacceptable" for Iraq's Olympic committee to disband the federation this week for alleged financial and administrative irregularities.

FIFA's emergency committee, led by president Sepp Blatter, imposed the suspension after Iraq missed an overnight deadline to reinstate the federation and hand back the headquarters seized by government security forces.

"The clubs and representative teams of Iraq are no longer permitted to take part in international matches, whether friendly or competitive," FIFA said in a statement.

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