Despite the nation being torn apart by civil war, Iraqi football in 2007 went as scheduled for the most part. Iraqi clubs participated in international competition, the Olympic team went through qualifications, and the national team played in different tournaments. No games by the national team or the Iraqi clubs were played in Iraq due to violence.
Famous quotes containing the words iraqi and/or football:
“I will cut the head off my baby and swallow it if it will make Bush lose.”
—Zainab Ismael, Iraqi housewife. As quoted in Newsweek magazine, p. 31 (November 16, 1992)
“In this dream that dogs me I am part
Of a silent crowd walking under a wall,
Leaving a football match, perhaps, or a pit,
All moving the same way.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)