Iraqi football federation denies issuing credentials to journalists for Asian Cup in Qatar

BAGHDAD, January 30 — Iraq’s football federation denied claims on Tuesday that it had provided media credentials to journalists covering the AFC Asian Cup in Doha Cup.

In a press release, the federation clarified that media outlets submitted applications to cover the games directly to the Asian Football Confederation via an online platform.

“The federation emphasized it had no involvement, direct or indirect, in dispatching journalists to cover the tournament,” the release said.

Tuesday’s statement came one day after the federation said it would ban a number of Iraqi journalists from covering future matches after members of the press physically intimidated men’s national team coach Jesus Casas during a press conference following Monday’s 3-2 loss to Jordan.

The federation issued a stinging condemnation of the attack, calling it “more lamentable that the undeserved elimination of the team from the Asian championship.”

It went on to call the intimidation a “dark point” in the history of the Iraqi media and promised to no longer work with the journalists in question as well as pursue legal action.