Doritos11
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Next year's Gulf Cup of Nations is to be held in the Saudi city of Jeddah after Basra in Iraq was deemed an unsuitable host. Iraq withdraws itself from the competition.
The decision to transfer the tournament initially slated for December was taken due to the ban on Iraq's hosting of international matches imposed by world football's governing body FIFA .
"It was decided to transfer the 22nd edition of the Gulf Cup from Basra to Jeddah," explained Bahrain Football Association President Shaikh Ali ben Khalifa Al-Khalifa after a meeting of the presidents of the football associations of Gulf countries.
"The next edition will take place in Basra on condition that FIFA lift their ban on Iraq hosting international competitions," he added.
It is the second time Iraq has been forced to hand over the staging rights as the country had also been due to host the previous edition last January.
However, security concerns and delays in building infrastructure saw the tournament moved to Bahrain where the UAE emerged victorious after a 2-1 extra-time victory over Iraq in the final.
The decision to transfer the tournament initially slated for December was taken due to the ban on Iraq's hosting of international matches imposed by world football's governing body FIFA .
"It was decided to transfer the 22nd edition of the Gulf Cup from Basra to Jeddah," explained Bahrain Football Association President Shaikh Ali ben Khalifa Al-Khalifa after a meeting of the presidents of the football associations of Gulf countries.
"The next edition will take place in Basra on condition that FIFA lift their ban on Iraq hosting international competitions," he added.
It is the second time Iraq has been forced to hand over the staging rights as the country had also been due to host the previous edition last January.
However, security concerns and delays in building infrastructure saw the tournament moved to Bahrain where the UAE emerged victorious after a 2-1 extra-time victory over Iraq in the final.