A group of Iraqi journalists tried to attack this Monday the Iraq coach, the Spanish Jesús Casas, during the press conference after the round of 16 match of the Asian Cup against Jordan (2-3), where the Arab team was eliminated of the continental competition. The defeat of the Iraqi team unleashed the anger of the country’s press, after Iraq was nominated as one of the favorites to win the title after having an impeccable group stage, which it completed undefeated despite the presence of a team of the stature from Japan.
During the post-match press conference, several reporters present in the room got up from their seats and went furiously towards Casas, whom they accused of granting several interviews to Spanish media during the tournament and of not focusing on the competition.
“None of the coaches of the teams that went to the round of 16 gave interviews before their matches, how is it possible that you could think of doing that? It’s a shame,” said some of the reporters in the room, while the security had to intervene to prevent informants from approaching the Spanish coach.
The Iraqi press ended up clearing the room and only a small group of foreign journalists remained, before whom Casas regretted what had happened and justified that the interviews he gave had no impact on the team’s performance. Likewise, the Spaniard assured that he did not feel worried about his future at the head of the Iraq team – which he has led since 2022 – and reaffirmed that the Arab team’s objective is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
For its part, the Iraq Football Federation condemned in a statement the “painful scene” experienced in the press room and the “disgusting and reckless behavior against coach Casas”, while ensuring that legal measures will be taken to “preserve the reputation” of the Spanish coach.
Regarding the match, Casas regretted the different treatment that his team received due to the expulsion of one of his players, Ayman Hussein, sanctioned during the match against Jordan in the Asian Cup for celebrating a goal in a similar way to that of his rivals in another so much so that no one saw yellow cardboard.
Ayman had to leave the field of play in that round of 16 match in the 78th minute, when he put his team ahead (he made it 2-1) and celebrated on the ground, sitting cross-legged and pretending to eat something with a hand. Previously, in the first half, up to four Jordanian players did exactly the same celebration when they scored 0-1 and none were cautioned.
