The Disciplinary Committee of the Iraqi Football Association decided last Wednesday to consider Diyala Club as having lost their match against Al-Shorta Club in the Iraq Stars League competition, after it was proven that they committed a clear violation of the competition regulations regarding the number of professional players on the field.

The decision came after the committee met to review an official complaint submitted by Al-Shorta Club, numbered 276 and dated February 23, 2026, concerning the match held between the two teams on February 21, which ended with Al-Shorta winning on the field with a score of 2-1. The complaint indicated that Diyala fielded 7 professional players simultaneously, which violates the federation's regulations.

The committee reviewed the match observer's report, which confirmed the participation of player Abdul Majid Mohammed Saleh in the 41st minute as the last professional player in the match, with the exit of player Muntazer Abdul Sada Abdul Hussain, making the actual number of professionals on the field 7 players. The federation's regulations allow a maximum of six professional players, with the possibility of registering an additional player of Yemeni nationality under specific conditions, provided they are not a goalkeeper outside the six professionals and have represented their national team in the last three years.

Based on this violation, the committee decided, according to articles (4-19 and 4-20) of the competition regulations for this season, to consider Diyala Club as having lost 0-3 in the match, instead of the result announced on the field, with the confirmation that the decision is appealable according to the legal frameworks followed.

This decision serves as a stern warning to all clubs in the league to strictly adhere to the federation's regulations regarding the number of professional players and the importance of respecting the legal conditions for registering players in the main lineup, to maintain the integrity of the competition and equal opportunities among teams.

Thus, Al-Shorta's official score against Diyala in the standings increases, while Diyala Club faces new challenges after the points deduction, increasing the pressure on the team in the upcoming stage of the league, and doubling the importance of strict compliance with the competition regulations to avoid future penalties.