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Three Iraqi football players seek asylum in Australia

BASRA, Nov 18 (KUNA) -- Three Iraqi football players and an assistant coach have refused to return home from Australia after losing to the Aussis 0-2, an Iraqi football official said Sunday.
Tareq Ahmad, assistant secretary general of Iraq Football Association, told reporters here that players Ali Mansour, Ali Abbas and Ali Kudhayyer took their passports on the eve of their departure from Australia, without the administration's knowing about it, and left the hotel.
Yahya Olwan, Iraqi olympic football team's coach, confirmed that the three players refused to return in addition to one of his assistants, whose name was not revealed.
Olwan said the four planned to seek asylum in Australia. He did not elaborate. (end) smj.bs KUNA 190054 Nov 07NNNN