Surely MLS could sign this guy and the $500,000 or whatever they would pay him would be made up in publicity. Maybe give a team incentive to sign him by clearing his salary of Salary Cap for a year? Don't say it couldn't happen because everyone knows MLS has no rules. This is a pretty good opportunity for MLS. Overall it would be nice to see MLS sides check out some Iraqi players. Some of the guys in UAE, Qatar, etc. would be expensive, but they still have players playing in Iraq and Iran and other poorer (in soccer terms) countries. They are a good side, but relatively unscouted. I don't expect anything to happen with this Nashat guy and MLS, but I thought this would make a decent thread.
I said this a few days ago,that MLS should hire this guy quickly and NYRB or TFC is a best place for him. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?p=13737631#post13737631 From LA Times.... http://www.latimes.com/news/printed...cer27jan27,1,5910067.story?ctrack=2&cset=true
They see the US as the reason he can't play in the EPL so yeah I am sure this guy would love to come to play in the US.
Yeah, but he is wrong. The reason that he can't get a work permit is becuase Iraq is not above 70 in the international rankings, this is partly due to their limited number of international fixtures. But as the BBC article mentioned Iraq has not been able to play home games for 20 years now. That would be because their country was run by a genocidal maniac, who had sanctions imposed on him. Whether or not you agree with the invasion of Iraq, and personally I do not. It is not the cause of this issue. It certainly hasn't helped though. The ban has been in place for 20 years, this is the main reason that Iraq's national team is struggling. Most likely his appeal will be approved anyway, as I really can't see the UK not granting a permit to a guy in this kind of case, special and talented but from a messed up situation.
why wouldn't he want to play in USA? after all it's not like we werent involved in Iraq to and he was more than happy to come here.
I am even more interested in Iraqi youth players. I scripted and edited a film about the Iraqi youth team that came to the US for the Dallas Cup, and their level of play was stratospheric. How they didn't win their group is beyond me. Anyway, these guys had technical skills and tactical discipline that most pros in MLS don't have. I kid you not. Most impressive was their total command of midfield and ball control in tight spaces. These kids have been through terrible hardship, and I think that some of their coaches and/or family may have been killed when they returned as retribution for cooperating with America. They got along well with the locals, and it would be quite a cinderella story if some of them were able to come to the U.S. like Galindo and develop a career. We've given guys like Joselito Vaca a chance, and I'm telling you, these kids are way better (and a few years older now).
If you click Nashat Akrams wikipedia page there is the squad that Iraq took to AFC Cup listed there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_national_football_team Thats the wiki site for their whole soccer team. The oldest guy on there is 28 and there are loads of younger guys, many of whom play in Iraq or places like Sudan.
1. They aren't stupid. They know England invaded them as well. 2. Nothing you have linked has proven to anyone they wouldn't want to come to the United States. 3.
Was it Saddam's son Uday that ran the Iraq soccer federation and had the players feet beaten with clubs if they didn't perform well on the national team? I'd say that the players' perspective may be a little different than whoever gave this quote. Edit: Yes, it was Uday. http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1120/p01s02-woiq.html
Definitely, they need to get some of those guys involved in MLS. Not only would it be great publicity, but they do have some great players. I think they would be surprised what a great living they could have here