ZURICH (AP) — FIFA has given Iraq soccer officials an extra year in office to prepare for elections, after a sectarian dispute meant the federation missed a deadline to vote for new leaders.
FIFA’s decision Monday lifts the threat of Iraq being suspended from world soccer and allows the national team to prepare for defending its Asian Cup title next January.
FIFA says it extended the mandate of the Iraqi Football Association executive through July 2011, hoping the new deadline will allow both groups to settle their differences and permit a new election.
A scheduled poll was canceled last month when a Sunni faction supporting the current president met in Irbil, claiming it was too dangerous to travel to Baghdad.
