Shaikh Salman offers condolences on the demise of Haidar Abdul-Razzaq

Mon, 06 Jun, 2022

Shaikh Salman offers condolences on the demise of Haidar Abdul-Razzaq

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has sent his condolences to the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) and to the family and loved ones of former Iraq international Haidar Abdul-Razzaq who passed away at the age of 40.

The reliable defender was part of the Iraq national team who overcame great odds to clinch the AFC Asian Cup™ – the Continent’s pinnacle national team stage – in 2007, which remains as one of the most inspired achievements in Asian football history.

Rising through the ranks, Abdul-Razzaq was also part of the Iraq Olympic squad who finished fourth at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, where the Lions of Mesopotamia lost narrowly to Italy in the Bronze medal match. 

The AFC President said: “On behalf of the AFC and the Asian football family, I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iraq football family on the untimely demise of Haidar Abdul-Razzaq.

“The scenes of Iraq lifting the coveted Asian crown in Indonesia in 2007 will always remain in our minds and hearts and Asian football has lost a true icon whose contributions to the game will forever be cherished,” added Shaikh Salman.

Abdul-Razzaq also enjoyed an equally successful club career, featuring for a host of West Asian sides, but his most successful spell was with Iraq’s Al-Talaba where he was part of the double league title and cup winning team in 2002. 

The thoughts and prayers of the AFC and the rest of the Asian football community are with the loved ones and friends of Haidar Abdul-Razzaq, the IFA and the Iraqi football family during this difficult time of mourning.