The Crisis Escalates Before the Baghdad Derby.. The Quqiya Case Ignites Tensions Between Al-Zawraa and Al-Shorta

Hours before the kickoff of the anticipated summit match between Al-Zawraa and Al-Shorta, the debate reignited over the case of Al-Zawraa player Hassan Abdul-Kareem "Quqiya," which has become the talk of the Iraqi sports street, following a series of conflicting decisions between the Football Association and the Arbitration and Settlement Center.

The roots of the crisis trace back to the match between Al-Zawraa and Al-Talaba that took place on March 29, 2025, during the twenty-fifth round of the Iraqi Stars League, which ended with Al-Nawras winning two goals to one. The match witnessed a controversial moment when "Quqiya" scored the winning goal from a penalty kick and celebrated in a manner considered offensive by some to Al-Talaba fans and players, prompting the Iraqi Federation to open an official investigation into the incident.

After reviewing the report and media impressions, the disciplinary committee decided to punish the player with a suspension, which provoked the ire of Al-Zawraa Club, which formally objected and the file was referred to the Sports Arbitration and Settlement Center.

In a surprising development, the Iraqi Arbitration and Settlement Center announced that "Quqiya" is eligible to participate in today's match against Al-Shorta, as the legal procedures related to the penalty are not complete, bringing the player back into the technical considerations of the white team.

However, matters did not calm down, as Al-Shorta Club issued an official statement confirming that if "Quqiya" is allowed to participate, the club will head to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to object, considering his participation a clear violation of the Federation's decisions, which could affect the integrity of the competition.

In contrast, the response from Al-Zawraa Club's management was more severe, threatening to withdraw from the Iraqi Stars League if the player is prevented from playing in the match, asserting that the issue has taken on dimensions larger than its size, and that the player did not commit an act deserving of suspension.

As tensions escalate between the two clubs, the sports community is eagerly awaiting the outcome of events in the coming hours, amidst charged atmospheres and expectations of a fiery match both on and off the field.