Arnold denies FA interference in his selections and explains absence of professionals vs Oman

Baghdad - Al-Wasat Iraqi Newspaper

Our national team coach, Graham Arnold, denied today, Thursday, that the Iraqi Football Association intervened in his choice of the match lineup, and he revealed the reasons for not fielding the professional players against the Omani national team in the Gulf Cup.

Arnold told several media outlets, as followed by Al-Wasat Iraqi Newspaper: “There is no truth to the president of the Iraqi Football Association speaking to me about certain players.”

Regarding not using the professional players, Arnold explained: “We had only one day to prepare, and the reason I did not include players from outside Iraq is that they did not arrive until Monday night,” adding that “the local players were more accustomed to this weather in Saudi Arabia than the professional players abroad.”

On the injuries to some players, Arnold confirmed: “The players Mustafa Saadoun and Mohammed Qasim have no problem, and we are awaiting the results of the tests.”