Official: Citing security, victorious soccer team to return to Baghdad Friday without star players
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgHG5_BCbMlpo2lRQxlHkmZXpAtadTYRU5Sx-nZ9fiMAmjbB6pGNyx1nOE6JckQcyTI3EdmriuULESoOhPikYnZnfslpt-3vCS8XBdPHayGoMSuJbZxxRvMne3BmOxejAqdZV/s400/soccer7-29-6.jpg)
Iraq's Asian Cup soccer champs will return home for celebrations but without three team stars, a Sports Ministry official said on Thursday...
He said team captain Younis Mahmoud would not return, nor would Nashat Akram and Hawar Mulla Mohammed.
Mahmoud, who scored the winning goal in Iraq's 1-0 Asian Cup final win over Saudi Arabia, had said he feared for his life if he returned to Iraq to celebrate the stunning victory.
Qassim said there would be a welcome-home celebration in a Baghdad hotel in the heavily fortified Green Zone, home to the U.S. Embassy and the Iraqi government headquarters.
Read the rest at the International Herald Tribune
Related Link:
Report: Kurdish security arrest 50 waving Iraqi flags following soccer win
Related Link:
Iraqi soccer team to visit Baghdad under heightened security
Related Link:
Smiles, tears following victory; Captain calls for U.S. to withdraw; 'I want America to go out. Today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, but out'
Related Link:
Iraq wins Asian Cup Final against Saudi Arabia, 1-0
Related Link:
Perspective: 'We have to play to be a champion and we hope no one dies -- this is what we wish.'
Related Link:
Perspective: 'This is a very modest thing we can give to our people'
Related Link:
Perspective: United in hope as game kicks off - and fear when final whistle blows
Related Link:
Perspective: Saudis have the pedigree, but Iraqis have the dream
Related Link:
Perspective: The best defence, but is it enough against the best attack?
Related Link:
Perspective: 'I can't fight against everybody'
Related Link:
Perspective: In hope, a dream of unity
Related Link:
Perspective: Why we watch
Related Link:
Perspective: Hoping the whistle never blows
<< Home