The Disciplinary Committee of the Iraqi Football Association decided to summon coach Abdul Ghani Shahid, the former head coach of Zakho Club, to appear before it and officially investigate him following the controversial statements he made after his team's loss in the final of the Iraq Cup against Duhok Club.

Zakho lost the final match held last Friday at Al-Shaab Stadium in Baghdad on penalties with a score of (5-3), after the regular time ended in a goalless draw. The match witnessed clear tension, which peaked during the penalty shootout when the last penalty was retaken after the Zakho goalkeeper saved it, by the decision of Qatari referee Salman Falahi, which angered the players and the coaching staff.

After the match, coach Abdul Ghani Shahid made televised statements that sparked widespread controversy in the sports community, as he indicated that Duhok's crowning of the title was a "pre-prepared scenario," as he described it, explaining that his team had been subjected to a series of officiating favors against them in recent matches, starting from the match against Al-Minaa, passing through Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, and ending with the final match against Duhok.

These statements prompted the Disciplinary Committee to take urgent action by summoning Shahid for investigation, where the coach is scheduled to appear before the committee on Monday at the federation's headquarters, in preparation for taking appropriate disciplinary actions according to the penalties regulation. The committee confirmed that the investigation would be comprehensive regarding what transpired during and after the match, including incidents of chaos and objections on the field.

These developments come at a sensitive time, especially since Abdul Ghani Shahid is considered one of the most prominent coaches in the local arena, and he was close to leading his team to achieve a historic achievement by winning the Iraq Cup, had it not been for the loss in the penalty shootout. With the rising tension following his statements, the awaited decision from the Disciplinary Committee remains a focal point for fans and followers, amid questions about its impact on the coach's future with Zakho Club, as well as on the image of Iraqi officiating in the upcoming period.

It is worth noting that the final match was attended by a large audience and witnessed a distinctive fan atmosphere, but it was not without the officiating controversy that overshadowed the joy of Duhok's second title in its history.