Iraq disbands national soccer team after loss
It was less than a year ago that Iraqis poured into the streets in a rare show of unity and celebration after the national soccer team won the prestigious Asian Cup.
Celebratory gunfire roared across Baghdad and other cities. A beaming Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki later awarded each team member a $10,000 bonus and held a homecoming celebration filled with fanfare - albeit limited to the U.S.-protected Green Zone.
But on Thursday, the Iraqi Football Association said it has dissolved the national soccer team and dismissed the Iraqi coach four days after the team's loss to Qatar ended the country's hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
"It was decided to disband the team, with all its players and coaching staff, including (head coach) Adnan Hamad," the association said in a statement.
Tareq Ahmed, a senior federation official, told The Associated Press that Hamad "is no longer useful to our team."
Ahmed said a new coach - who was not named - would choose players for a new national team. The statement did not single out any players, raising the possibility that some of the current team members could make the new roster.
"We think that the team needs new blood and that new young players will strengthen it," Ahmed said.
Officials did not rule out keeping some of the current players.
"Anyone who has skills and is deemed appropriate by the new coach can join the national team regardless of his identity," said the Iraqi Olympic Committee spokesman, Jazier al-Sahlani.
He also said the decision wasn't entirely related to the level of play.
Al-Sahlani said Hamad also was being punished for purportedly criticizing a controversial government decision to disband the previous Iraqi Olympic Committee because of corruption allegations. The International Olympic Committee had responded by suspending Iraq's national Olympic body for "political interference."
"Hamad did not stick to his technical job and he was involved in politics," al-Sahlani said.
Hamad could not immediately be reached for comment. He was appointed to coach the national team in February, taking over from Norwegian Egil Olsen after another disappointing Iraqi performance in World Cup qualifications.
The jubilation over the victorious run of the team last year gave Iraqis a welcome respite from the daily violence. Revelers of all ages danced in the streets after each win, despite fears of attacks.
Iraqi fans were poised for another round street celebrations this year. Before Sunday's match, President Jalal Talabani issued a statement encouraging the squad to win.
Instead, many were angered by the team's unconvincing and weak performance. The team needed only a draw to reach the final qualification, but instead lost to Qatar 1-0.
Saad Karim, a 24-year-old physical education student, noted that "the team and the coach were treated as heroes" in previous wins.
"When they lost against Qatar, they were crucified. I think this decision is not fair and illogical because the IFA also should shoulder some responsibly for the defeat," Karim said.
Mohammed Haider, a 30-year-old grocer store owner in Baghdad, said he agreed with the decision to disband the team.
"The team needs new blood though the IFA itself, not the team only, should bear some of the blame," Haider said.
The official reaction evoked memories of the far harsher treatment of athletes under Saddam Hussein, whose son Odai was in charge of Iraqi sports and punished poor performances with torture or incarceration. In some cases, Odai was said to have forced players who missed shots during games to kick stone balls.
Iraq has not played a game at home in years. Because of the kidnapping and killing of athletes in various sports, the squad trains and plays abroad, mostly in Persian Gulf nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
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