Fifa temporarily revokes ban on Iraqi FA

Sydney: Iraq's World Cup qualifier against Australia will go ahead as planned this weekend after Fifa agreed to temporarily lift their suspension.

The match had been in doubt after Fifa announced on Monday they were suspending the reigning Asian champions in response to their government's decision to dissolve their National Olympic Committee.

However, Fifa agreed to revoke the ban after the Iraqi government provided written assurances that they had not dissolved the Iraqi Football Association (IFA).

Fifa released a statement yesterday confirming they had lifted the ban so Sunday's World Cup qualifier would proceed but warned Baghdad that it was only provisional and had conditions attached.

Interference

Fifa said they still had concerns over the Iraqi government's attempts to control its national federations and have called for a delegation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the IFA to join them to Zurich to discuss the issues.

"This letter is a positive step, however it does not fully answer all of Fifa's concerns about the governmental attempts to control the Iraqi federations and the Iraqi National Olympic Committee," the Fifa statement said. AFC President Mohammad Bin Hammam, who had led the push to suspend Iraq as part of his strong stance against political interference in sport, welcomed the Iraqi government's letter but also said they needed to reverse their decision to dissolve their National Olympic Committee.

"This process would be completed only when the suspension imposed on the Iraq Olympic Association and all sports bodies is lifted," he said.

"Only such a move can lead to re-instilling of trust in Iraqi sports."

Australia, which had stood to lose about A$3 million ($2.88 million) in ticket sales and sponsorship if the match was cancelled, also welcomed the announcement the game was back on.

"This is great news," Football Federation of Australia (FFA) chief executive Ben Buckley said.