Khaberni - The Organizing Committee for the 2025 Arab Cup issued a statement today, Friday, disavowing the playing of a song that glorifies the former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein after the end of the Iraq and Bahrain match in the fan zone.
Iraq's team defeated their Bahraini counterpart (2-1) in the match that took place on Wednesday evening at 974 Stadium in Qatar.
The local organizing committee for the Arab Cup stated in a statement that: "The 2025 Arab Cup is a sports gathering aimed at highlighting football talents in the Arab world and the passion of its peoples for this sport."
It added: "Referring to what was recently circulated about what happened during the celebrations of the audience after the end of the Iraq and Bahrain match in the fan zone, where a song outside the officially approved playlist was played, the committee wishes to clarify that this unacceptable act was carried individually by one of the workers in this area."
It confirmed that "the organizers took the necessary actions immediately upon noticing this towards the concerned individual, in addition to directing all operators and workers on the necessity to adhere to the procedures related to fan zones."
The committee concluded its statement by affirming that "this championship is primarily a sports tournament without any other dimensions, and it renews its commitment to providing a distinctive experience for all fans that contributes to enhancing the social and cultural ties among the participating countries."