The Kuwaiti Football Association has filed a formal complaint accusing Iraq of “poor organisation” after a brawl broke out during the Gulf Cup opening ceremony, forcing the Kuwaiti delegation to leave the stadium.
Videos shared on Friday night showed several men arguing and shoving each other in the VIP section at Basra International Stadium.
The Kuwaiti delegation was confronted outside the VIP section by Iraqi organisers and security, according to reports.
As a result, Kuwait Olympic Committee president Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad could not enter the venue, Kuwaiti press reported.
He was representing the Gulf country's Emir, Sheikh Nawaf.
“The Kuwait Football Association expresses its strong dissatisfaction with the poor organisation of the opening ceremony of the 25th Gulf Cup in Basra, and the resulting mass stampede and overcrowding that prevented the entry of the representative of His Highness, the Emir of the country, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, may God protect and preserve him,” it said.
The president of the Kuwait Football Association and his delegation withdrew from the opening ceremony “in solidarity” with the Emir's representative, who could not attend for safety reasons, the reports said.
Matches took place in the city of Basra, near Kuwait, as war-scarred Iraq hosted the regional event for the first time in more than four decades.
The country was long banned from international football and is counting on the tournament to improve its image.
Kuwait said its national team would continue to participate in the tournament after it received security and safety assurances from Iraq.
Iraqi Football Association president Adnan Dirjal apologised to the Kuwaiti delegation for the difficulties it encountered when it arrived at the stadium on Friday night.
“The Iraqi Federation, as well as those in charge of organising the championship, will take into account the necessity of avoiding what happened to ensure that the organisational process appears in the best form, starting with the matches of the second day of the championship,” Mr Dirjal said.
The Foreign Ministers of Iraq and Kuwait spoke on Sunday to discuss the incident.
“Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fouad Hussein confirmed that what happened — in terms of organisational matters during the opening of Gulf 25 — will not affect the strength of the relationship between Iraq and the state of Kuwait, especially at the sports level,” Iraq's Foreign Ministry said.
Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
