Talaba SC challenges Iraq Football Federation disciplinary rulings

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Baghdad-based Talaba Sports Club has formally challenged recent decisions by the Iraqi Football Federation's Disciplinary Committee, alleging in an official letter to the federation president that the body has acted with bias. The club described the rulings as "unjust and arbitrary" and accused the committee's chair and members of adopting a prejudicial stance against Talaba. The complaint cited three cases. The club said a past points-deduction penalty against Naft had effectively shut Talaba out of international competitions. Talaba also said goalkeeper Fahd Talib was suspended on a match day falling on an official holiday, a decision reversed only after the intervention of a former federation president and secretary general. A separate 0-3 forfeiture imposed after two Talaba goalkeepers appeared in the same jersey number during a match against Norwez was also challenged, with the club arguing the ruling was issued without referee or observer reports. Talaba said it has no confidence in any decision issued by the Disciplinary Committee under its current chair and criticized the federation's failure to refer a recent press conference incident involving a Duhok club official to an independent inquiry body. The club argued that a fine imposed on it, which it said cannot be appealed, violates Article 100 of the Iraqi Constitution. It added that further legal and official steps will be taken in the coming days.