The Iraqi government is attempting to overturn Fifa’s decision to suspend the country from international football for one year.
The ban came after Iraq disbanded its Olympic Committee and national sport federations on 20 May, in breach of Fifa and Olympic regulations.
But government officials claim the country’s football association is not affected and hopes the ban will be lifted.
Fifa said that they would overturn the suspension if they received written confirmation that the decree has been anulled.
“We received a letter from the secretary-general of the cabinet which clarifies that the decision does not include the sports federations, including the soccer federation,” said the head of the Iraqi Football Association Hussein Saeed.
“We sent a copy of the letter to Fifa. We don’t know whether they will change their mind or not.”
Sports Minister Jasem Mohammed Jaafar said the government had issued Fifa with a clarification.
“We have done what we could. If Fifa doesn’t reverse its decision and Iraq doesn’t play in the World Cup, we won’t be responsible,” he said.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter said earlier that he hoped the ban would encourage the Iraqi government to have a change of heart.
Blatter told The Australian newspaper: “Iraq are the Asian champions and brought so much hope and joy to their country when they won the final in Malaysia last year.
“I am confident there is enough pressure on the government to help them change their mind.”
Iraq are set to play Australia in Brisbane on 1 June and in Dubai on 7 June.
