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شكرا استراليا ـ السماح للاعبين عراقيين بالبقاء و منحهم الفيزا
Iraqis allowed to stay
>> life 14 December 2007
Two former members of the Iraq squad have been granted permanent visas to remain in Australia after abandoning the national team following a match in the country.
Ali Abbas, Ali Mansoor and Ali Khadir - all of whom have been banned for life by the Iraqi Football Federation for deserting the team - disappeared along with assistant coach Saadi Toma and a fifth man connected with the set-up after the team lost an Olympic qualifying match in November to Australia in Ettalong, New South Wales.
The five then made visa applications to stay in Australia - two of which have now been granted. Mansoor has since returned to Iraq, while the two others will be allowed to stay until a decision is made on their applications.
A spokesman for the Department of Immigration told The Australian newspaper: "Two of the five members of the squad have had their visa applications approved and the other two are still pending."
Last modified: 13 February 2008 20:27:37