Iraqi national player suspended from US football club after arrest in Sweden

American football club D.C. United has announced that Mohanad Jeahze, an Iraqi defender who also plays for his country's national team, was suspended pending investigation after his arrest in Sweden on Saturday. 

The 26-year-old footballer was on club-approved leave in Sweden, the country of his birth, when he was arrested at a downtown Stockholm hotel. 

He was detained allegedly in connection with two incidents of assault, both of which took place in Stockholm, according to the Swedish Prosecution Authority. 

“Jeahze has been suspended pending an investigation by Major League Soccer and Swedish authorities,” wrote D.C. United in a statement. 

“D.C. United will remain in close contact with Major League Soccer, the MLS Players Association, and Swedish authorities during the investigation. No further comment will be made by the club or League at this time,” said the club. 

Stockholm’s district court ruled that Jeahze can be detained until May 8. In that time frame, charges must be brought to the court or the case will be dropped. 

Jeahze’s agent, Blash Hosseini, has not responded to requests for comment, reported the Washington Post. 

The Iraqi player will remain in custody because “there is a risk [that] the suspect [may try to] evade prosecution or punishment,” reported the American newspaper. 

Jeahze has made six appearances for D.C. United, coached by English football star Wayne Rooney, since signing a three-year deal in December 2022. 

He moved from the Swedish club Hammarby IF, where he played as a youth representative since 2020.

 
He has played for Iraq on four occasions, opting to represent the Middle Eastern nation given that his family is from Samawah, just southeast of Baghdad.