Baghdad: Students are preparing for the oil match, and what happened in the Nowruz game warrants a financial penalty. According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Talaba coach Ali Reza Mansourian emphasized the significance of the upcoming match against Al-Naft, highlighting the opponent’s strong performance and preparation. He expressed his hopes for his team to remain focused and achieve victory, which he considers a primary objective.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Mansourian addressed an incident during the Nawroz game where a player changed jerseys. He clarified that regulations stipulate a financial penalty rather than a match loss in such cases. He referenced a similar situation in an African tournament between Guinea and Tanzania, where no match loss was enforced despite a complaint filed with FIFA over players wearing the same number.

Mansourian stressed the importance of players having proper identification cards, as outlined in the regulations. He affirmed Al-Talaba’s victory over Nawroz, citing their superior performance and multiple goals.

He mentioned ongoing efforts to address financial issues within the club, praising Dr. Salah Hadi, head of the administrative board, for his dedication. Mansourian expressed hope for Hadi’s continued leadership, warning that his departure could lead to widespread exits among coaching staff and players.

Mansourian concluded by thanking Iraqi national team coach Graham Arnold for his interest in attending Al-Talaba’s matches and following the team’s progress.