Gulf Cup final might be moved outside Iraq after deadly crush

The governor of Basra has called on supporters to leave the stadium where the Gulf Cup final is scheduled to kick off late today after a deadly crash.

MENA

2 min read

Dana Taib Menmy

Iraq

19 January, 2023

Iraq's supporters gather outside the Basra International Stadium in the country's southern city on January 19, 2023, after a stampede took place hours before the evening's final match of the Arabian Gulf Cup between Iraq and Oman [Getty]

At least one person has died and more than 70 were injured after a stampede outside a football stadium in Iraq just hours before the Gulf Cup final was due to take place.

Thousands of spectators attempted to enter Palm Tree Trunk Stadium in Basra, where Iraq are set to play Oman in the final of the pan-Gulf tournament later on Thursday.

Thousands of fans without tickets had gathered outside the stadium since dawn in the hope of watching the rare home international match due to kick off at 7pm (4pm GMT) with two killed in a crush there.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani visited Basra and met with organisers to discuss the situation. There have been calls to cancel the match and play the final outside the country.

عاجل ٨٠ اصابه خطيره نتيجه التدافع قرب ملعب البصره
هل حياه الناس اهم لو كرة القدم#كاس_الخليج #كاس_الخليج_العربي_25 #خليجي_25_بصراوي #خليجي_25_بصراوي pic.twitter.com/tjubC1LkSo
— د. نور الشمري#العراق (@noriraq41) January 19, 2023

Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani said the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation has told him the game could be moved to another venue outside the country if the situation remains as it is.

He called on the Iraqi spectators to leave the 60,000-capacity stadium, to prevent the game from being cancelled.

Videos on social media showed some fans leaving the stadium after the request but it is still not clear whether the match will go ahead.

Iraqis have been celebrating the hosting of the tournament, the first to take place in Iraq since 1979.

It comes after years of war and sanctions prevented major international competitions and football matches from being held inside Iraq.

The football tournament includes the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE - as well as Yemen and Iraq.