Iraq Football Federation sanctions Al-Shorta coaches over referee remarks

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi Football Federation's Disciplinary Committee fined Al-Shorta head coach Hassan Ahmed and his assistant Ali Hassan Ahmed one million Iraqi dinars each following their post-match criticism of match officials, the federation said. The committee acted after Al-Shorta's Iraq Stars League game against Kerma, ruling that the coaches' comments questioning referee impartiality and containing insults violated Article 47-3 of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations. The sanctions are payable immediately, and the coaching staff will remain barred from the sidelines until payment is made, according to the federation statement issued after the committee met at its headquarters on Sunday. The decision was taken unanimously and is not subject to appeal. The committee also issued warnings to both Erbil and Air Force Club following their 1-1 draw at Franso Hariri Stadium. Erbil was cited for crowd disorder and security breaches in the technical area, while Air Force was warned over disorder in its technical area. The committee said the sanctions, grounded in Articles 11 and 13 of the regulations, carry the warning that any repeat violations will result in harsher penalties.