Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports lost his mind, says Kanabi
08/08/2012 14:39
ERBIL, August 8 (AKnews) – The head of Kurdistan’s Football Federation replied to the Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports, who described raising the Kurdish flag in the Norwegian Cup championship as unconstitutional.
Federation chief Safin Kanabi said the Iraqi minister had lost his mind.
The minister criticized the Kurdish flag in the championship and said Kurds violated the constitution, according to Kanabi.
In a press conference in Erbil Kanabi said: "I don’t know whether we infringed the constitution or the Iraqi government. If they are serious then why don’t they come to apply article 140 in the constitution and some other subjects to end all Iraqi problems."
Kanabi also criticized the Iraqi embassy in Norway and said the embassy welcomed another participating team in the championship but ignored the Kurdish team.
Kanabi added: "We are Iraqis and so far Kurds work to unify Iraq and its constitution."
The head of the federation said Kurds participated in the tournament after an invitation and they asked before attending the tournament to raise the Kurdish flag among the other participant flags.
Some 54 teams participated in the championship in Norway. Kurdistan’s junior team left the tournament in round 16.
By Arsalan Abdulla
HH/DM/AKnews
