By Andrew Warshaw
June 9 – The Australian government has apologised to Jordan for its Iraqi national team coach, Adnan Hamad, being detained for more than four hours when the squad flew into Melbourne last week ahead of tomorrow’s (Tuesday) crunch World Cup qualifier.
The Jordan Football Association expressed outrage and threatened to take their case to FIFA after Hamad was held by immigration officials apparently with no explanation.
JFA general secretary Khalil Al Salem demanded an official explanation from Australia, which is due to host the 2015 Asian Cup. He claimed all visas and entry procedures had been followed. The Jordanian embassy intervened and the coach was eventually allowed into the country.
Australian foreign minister Bob Carr has now stepped in to try and calm relations. “Obviously, Mr Hamad being delayed caused an inconvenience and embarrassment,” Carr’s spokesman told AFP, adding that he was not aware of why he was detained. “As a matter of courtesy, the minister rang the Jordanian ambassador and said sorry for the inconvenience.”
The courtesy was extended “just to make sure that the Jordanians were aware that this shouldn’t, in any way, be taken as a reflection on them or their country”.
Hamad earlier said he had had no problems entering Australia when he was coach of the Iraqi team back in 2008. ”I’m shocked. I’m a professional coach. Everyone around the world knows me,” he said.
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