Iraq’s Hussein was sent off for pretending to ‘eat grass’, the reason was different [아시안컵]

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▲Iraqi national soccer team striker Aymen Hussein is eating grass after scoring a goal in the 31st minute of the second half of the 1-1 match against Jordan in the Asian Cup round of 16. Source = Reuters Yonhap News

The reason for the warning of Ayman Hussein, who suddenly made a grass-eating ceremony and became an excuse for Iraq to be eliminated from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, was revealed to be ‘delay in the game’. As controversy arose as Hussein’s sudden exit was perceived as a direct trigger for Iraq’s elimination, the AFC unusually provided an explanation for the individual decision.

On the 2nd (Korean time), AFC said on its website, “Hussein’s expulsion is in accordance with Article 12 of the International Football Council’s game rules, ‘Disciplinary action for delaying the game’ among fouls and illegal conduct.” The second warning Hussein received was according to the game rules. “It was the correct decision by the award referee,” he said.

AFC said, “We have received several inquiries surrounding the circumstances in which Hussein received a second yellow card and was sent off. “Our goal is to resolve these questions by providing the basis for the decision and comprehensive interpretation.” In fact, the clause specifies ‘delaying the resumption of play’ as an example of a foul for which a warning is given to a player.

Iraq’s striker Hussein, who scored six goals and was the tournament’s leading scorer, walked around the ground and held a ‘walking ceremony’ after scoring a 2-1 goal in the 31st minute of the second half of the round of 16 against Jordan. He didn’t stop there, he sat on the ground and pretended to put some grass in his mouth. In response, the referee took out a yellow card for Hussein.

Regarding this decision, there was also an analysis that the referee interpreted the movement in question as an inflammatory act in accordance with the regulations that issue a warning when there is provocative or mocking content or gestures in the goal celebration. Regarding this, foreign media poured out various speculations, such as ‘the act of eating with the left hand involves racial discrimination’ and ‘the stadium facilities were damaged.’

However, the AFC’s official explanation is that the delay in the game itself is more of a problem than the provocative actions.

Hussein, who had previously received a yellow card, was sent off for accumulating warnings and had a decisive impact on the flow of the game. Iraq, which gave up two goals after being outnumbered, came from behind to lose 2-3 and fell to the round of 16. Australian referee Alireza Pagani, who warned Hussein immediately after the game, became the target of an online terrorist attack. Malicious comments were posted on social networking services (SNS) against referee Pagani, who was born in Iran, and detailed personal information was also disclosed without permission.

Jesus Casas (Spain), head coach of the Iraq national team, said after the game, “You cannot send a player off for celebrating a goal in a tournament like the Asian Cup. Even though the Jordan players already had the same celebration in the first half, no disciplinary action was given. In particular, it became a very difficult situation because it happened after all replacement cards had been used. “After Hussein left, he was unable to make any changes,” he said angrily.

In relation to this, AFC said, “We strongly condemn threats, abuse, and disclosure of personal information toward tournament participants, including referees and players. “Such actions violate the spirit of fair play and are not respectful of the Asian soccer community,” he condemned.