Mohammad Abu Hashish Sparks Controversy in Iraqi League

Mohammad Ali Abu Hashish's participation with the Jordanian national team in the match against Karama has stirred significant controversy in Iraqi sports circles, following the encounter between the two teams yesterday, Saturday, at the Golan Stadium in the first round of the Iraq Stars League 2026-2027, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Abu Hashish has entered the starting lineup for coach Moamen Soliman's team, allowing Al-Karma to secure their first point of the new season, in which they aspire to compete for the top positions.

According to the Iraqi Football Association regulations, each club is allowed to field a maximum of five foreign players in the starting lineup. Al-Mosul's objection arose because Al-Karmah included Abu Hashish alongside five other foreign players, totaling six foreign players as classified.

Al-Mosul Club has officially complained to the Iraqi Football Federation, asserting that Al-Karma violated the regulations regarding the number of professional players. If the violation is confirmed, the match result could be awarded to Al-Mosul with a score of 3-0, granting them their first three points in the league.

Al-Karma management swiftly responded to the complaint, confirming that Mohamed Abu Hashish is not counted among the foreign players. The reason is that the player holds Iraqi nationality, as his mother is Iraqi and his father is Jordanian. Iraqi law grants nationality to children of Iraqi mothers.

As a result, Abu Hashish has been registered with the federation as a local player, despite representing the Jordanian national team, which is a common practice in many leagues around the world.

Sources indicate that the relevant committee within the federation is leaning towards rejecting Mosul's complaint, especially after Al-Karma submitted documents that confirm the player's legal status as a local player. This development could put an end to the controversy that has erupted on social media since the end of the match.

Abu Hashish is 31 years old and has been playing for Al-Karma since the summer of 2025 after renewing his contract until the summer of 2027.

He previously represented Al-Zawraa, Naft Al-Wasat, and Zakho in the Iraqi league, starting his journey in Iraqi football with Al-Zawraa in the 2022-2023 season.