In-focus

FIFA flays killing of Ammani footballers

Dunya News

FIFA vice-president for Asia flayed killing of 9 local football players in a bombing in Iraq.

I am appalled by the attacks in Hilla which took the innocent lives of nine young members of our football family, Jordans Prince Ali, half brother of King Abdullah II, said in a statement.A car bomb exploded Monday near a football field in Hilla, 95 kilometres (60 miles) south of Baghdad, killing nine local football players and wounding 32 other people, medical and security officials in Hilla said.The prince said the Iraqi football family has faced many challenges in recent years in rebuilding football in Iraq and giving Iraqi youth hope for a peaceful future.We in Jordan and West Asia are always ready to assist our Iraqi brothers in any way possible, Ali added.While violence in Iraq has declined dramatically since its peak in 2006-2007, attacks remain common. A total of 132 Iraqis were killed in violence in May, according to official figures.