Iraqi football player who 'attacked referee' has two-year play ban reduced

Iraq's Football Association appeals committee decided on Thursday to reduce a two-year ban it gave a national team player earlier this month for attacking a referee.

Ibrahim Bayesh will now serve a 10-match suspension instead, The New Arab’s Arabic-language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

He will also have to pay a fine of 20 million Iraqi dinars ($15,000).

Ibrahim Bayesh’s appeal has been successful and the disciplinary committee have reduced his punishment.

He will now serve :

🟥 - 10 game suspension
💰- 20 million dinar fine

However the Al Quwa Al-Jawiya 🦅 board will appeal this again. pic.twitter.com/hcKJTaIYBg

— Iraq Football Podcast (@IraqFootballPod) April 27, 2023

The Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (Air Force club) midfielder assaulted referee Muhannad Qassem after being sent off during an Iraqi Premier League match against Al-Kahraba on 9 April. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya were defeated 3-2 and lost their top spot in the league.

When shown a red card after a second bookable offence, Bayesh ran towards the referee and tried to attack him, the Iraqi Football Federation said.

He also threatened, insulted, and mocked the referee, the federation said.

Hammadi Ahmed, a member of Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya's administrative board, was also penalised by the federation for his behaviour at the game, where he pushed and verbally assaulted refereeing staff.

Fans also rioted after the match.

Following the incident, the federation barred the club's fans from attending the next three home games.