Duhok players boycott training over unpaid wages before new season

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Players for Iraqi northern club Duhok have announced a boycott of training, citing the non-payment of the first installment of their contracts. The club's management had not transferred the initial payment to the players' accounts, prompting the decision. Duhok is scheduled to play a friendly against Talaba, one of Iraq's leading clubs, on Friday at 5:30 p.m. local time at Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. The boycott comes as the club continues to face financial difficulties, with no immediate resolution announced. Separately, Erbil SC said it has overcome its own financial crisis after Governor Omed Khoshnaw transferred one billion Iraqi dinars to the club. The club's administration said a second payment of the same amount is expected later to settle outstanding player dues, helping restore stability that had been shaken by delayed allocations. With the financial issues addressed, Erbil has resumed regular training under coach Luay Salih. Preparations are continuing ahead of the Iraq Stars League, which is expected to start in the middle of the month.