By Andrew Warshaw
June 6 – Jordan are planning a formal complaint to FIFA after national team coach, Iraqi Adnan Hamad (pictured), was detained for questioning by Australian immigration authorities for more than four hours when the team flew into Melbourne – and into an international storm – ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifier on June 11.
JFA general secretary Khalil Al Salem said the team had to contact the Jordanian embassy to help with the situation.
“The Jordanian football association had completed all the entry procedures for the entire members of the delegation in accordance with the diplomatic methods and obtained the formal visas to enter Australia to all members of the delegation,” a statement said.
“The Jordanian football association will ask for official clarifications from the Australian football association and notify the international federation, FIFA, on the matter.”
Hamad, who held a valid Australian visa, was reportedly stopped by immigration officials and questioned despite the rest of the squad clearing customs after a flight from New Zealand where the Jordanians had been training.
Al-Salem said the squad was given no reason, nor an apology. “It is not a sporting decision,” he was quoted as saying. Interestingly, members of the Socceroos squad were temporarily delayed on arrival in Jordan ahead of the corresponding fixture last year when Jordan won 2-1.
Jordan and Australia are locked in a tense battle in Group B of the final round of Asian qualifying for next year’s finals in Brazil, both trying to secure the second automatic qualifying spot. Japan have already claimed one of the two berths from the group.
The Australian FA denied they had breached FIFA protocol and insisted they sent a liaison officer and a security officer to meet the Jordanian delegation.
“FFA regrets any inconvenience caused, but the operations of Australian Customs is not a matter over which FFA has control,” an FFA spokesman said. “We respect the right of Customs to carry out its lawful duties as it sees fit.”
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