Iraq’s Zidane Iqbal addresses Kuwait fans over mockery of Pakistani father

Iraq footballer Zidane Iqbal has directed a message to Kuwait fans, saying he was mocked because his father is Pakistani.

His complaint raised the issue of personal abuse in football, with social media comments drawing a distinction between fierce sporting rivalry and insults aimed at players’ families.

Several posts described what had happened as part of intense football competition that can extend beyond the pitch. At the same time, they rejected abuse directed at players and their relatives.

Those comments stressed that players’ private lives should be kept out of the game. Iqbal’s message focused on the targeting of his family background, rather than criticism of his performance on the field.