Zakho fan banned from Iraqi stadiums for life over flag incident

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Football Association’s disciplinary committee has banned a Zakho supporter from every stadium in Iraq for life after he lowered an Iraqi flag during his club’s match against Quwa al-Jawiya at Zakho Stadium.

Sarkar Khalid Walid had already been barred by Zakho from its own stadium and from all matches and events the club organises or hosts, the committee said. It praised the club’s response and cooperation but said those measures did not prevent a separate sanction given the seriousness of the act and what it called a violation of the sanctity of the Iraqi flag. The decision was unanimous and can be appealed.

The committee also fined Zakho player Amjad Attwan and team supervisor Mahdi Karim a million dinars each, about $650, and banned each for one match over incidents during the club’s 4-0 defeat to Zawraa on Aug. 29, after a referee’s report on Attwan’s conduct toward the official and Karim entering the pitch and using abusive language. Neither may play or accompany the team until the fines are paid, and both sanctions are appealable.