Masum Congratulates Iraqis for Lifting International Ban on Local Stadiums

In this file photo taken on February 27, 2018, shows Iraqi national football team players taking part in a traning session at the Basra Stadium, in the southern Iraqi city, a day ahead of Iraq's friendly match with Saudi Arabia. HAIDAR MOHAMMED ALI / AFP

President Fuad Masum congratulated all Iraqis, the sports people and the sports bodies in particular for the announcing of the International Federation of Football (FIFA) its decision to lift the international ban on most Iraqi stadiums, praising the role and perseverance of the sports fans to achieve this sports victory.

In a statement, President Masum said that "Iraq thanks all the sports federations and associations of brotherly and friendly countries that supported the lifting of the ban on its stadiums," he also praised the efforts of the Iraqi Football Federation and the National Olympic Committee.

He called on the leadership of FIFA to conclude its decision to expedite the lifting of the ban on all Iraqi stadiums, calling on the concerned parties to expedite the completion of all necessary measures to achieve this.

The International Football Association (FIFA) announced the lifting of the ban on three Iraqi stadiums, namely the stadiums of Erbil, Basra and Karbala.