Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani returned to Baghdad after the Arabian Gulf Cup final in Basra and held a meeting to discuss bolstering security for the national team’s victory celebrations.
Hosts Iraq won the Gulf Cup for the first time since 1988 with a 3-2 victory over Oman on Thursday but the triumph was marred by a deadly crush outside the Basra International Stadium that killed at least two people and injured dozens.
A ceremony was set to take place on Friday evening at the Great Celebrations square in central Baghdad.
The national team was expected to arrive at Baghdad Airport from Basra at 6pm local time.
Due to security concerns, Iraq have played only two football World Cup qualifiers at home since the US-led invasion of 2003 - one against Jordan in the northern city of Erbil in 2011 and the second against Hong Kong in Basra eight years later.
All other competitive games involving the national team have been played in neighbouring countries such as Jordan, Qatar and the UAE.
In the lead up to the tournament, authorities banned celebratory gunfire and ordered police to clamp down on misconduct.
“The security forces have issued clear orders to arrest anyone who tampers with security and opens fire during, or after the matches,” said Maj Gen Yahya Rasool, spokesman for the Armed Forces.
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Iraqi football fans try to enter the Basra International Stadium, on Thursday. A stampede outside the stadium killed at least one person and injured several. AP -
An injured fan receives medical attention. Reuters -
The stampede occurred outside the stadium as thousands of fans waited to watch the Arabian Gulf Cup final between Iraq and Oman. AP -
Many of the fans had no tickets, authorities said. -
An injured football fan is carried into an emergency area at the stadium. AFP -
Fans began arriving again in the afternoon as calm was restored, interior ministry spokesman Saad Maan was quoted as saying. AP -
Injured football fans in an emergency area. AFP -
Fans try to enter the stadium. AP -
More than 60 were injured, officials said. AFP -
Injured fans receiving treatment. AFP -
Fans attempt to enter the Basra International Stadium to watch the final. Reuters -
Fans attempt to enter the ground to watch the final. Reuters -
Fans attempt to enter the ground to watch the final. Reuters -
Fans attempt to enter the ground to watch the final. Reuters -
Iraq's supporters take their seats early in the day for the evening's final against Oman. AFP -
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has travelled to Basra and met organisers to discuss the incident. AFP -
The Iraqi Interior Ministry is asking the public to celebrate in a 'civilised way', without celebratory gunfire. It has said it will arrest those who shoot into the air. AFP -
Iraq beat Qatar 2-1 and Oman beat Bahrain 1-0 to set up the final match of the tournament. AFP
Despite the deadly incident on Thursday night and reports of violence after many were turned away from the 65,000-capacity Basra International Stadium before the final, Mr Al Sudani was optimistic that Iraq’s hosting of the 25th Gulf Cup would mark the beginning of a new chapter for the country.
“The Gulf Cup is a message to international sports institutions that Iraq is a safe country, that it has the capacity and capabilities enabling it to attract tournaments,” Mr Al Sudani said.
He urged football governing body Fifa to allow Iraq to play World Cup qualifiers on home soil.
“The simplest message that the international federation could give to the Iraqi fans is lifting the international ban on Iraqi stadiums,” he said.
The Gulf Cup, an eight-nation tournament that usually takes place every two years, kicked off on Jan. 6 with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in attendance.
