Once full of promise, Syrian football has been destroyed by civil war

[Sally]

Maybe some day when all this settles down, we might see the Syrian footballers in the World Cup games.

Once full of promise, Syrian football has been destroyed by civil war

The sport continues despite the death of a player, lack of finance, damaged facilities and a whole season being called off

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The civil war has disrupted sport in Syria but football's domestic league has been reinstalled. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
The bloody civil war in Syria, struggle for freedom and liberation away from the oppressive Assad regime has, unquestionably, changed the lives of many.

The conflict, with the heartbreak, devastation and division it has ensued has also crept into sport – one of the few distractions and pleasures of many away from the suffering – dividing players, leading authorities, coaches and managers into three camps: pro-Assad, pro-democracy and neutral. Players such as Abdul Basit Saroot took off his boots to join the revolution, becoming an instant icon, while his compatriot, the Syrian international Musab Balhous – before he reverted after his release – spent time in prison accused of sheltering armed rebels and strengthening an armed organisation composed of Al-Karamah club-mates against the nation’s president, Bashar al-Assad.

Others left the country either in protest or for their own safety. Firas Al-Khatib – regarded as one of the finest footballers Syria has produced – has refused to represent his national side in solidarity with those seeking freedom and liberation, and now plies his trade with China’s Shanghai Shenhua.

“There are players who have refused to represent the national team for the time being because they believe they represent a certain side,” states Tareq Hindawi, who plays for Al-Ittihad and Syria’s national team. “But I disagree with their position. We represent our flag and our allegiance is towards this country. We play to carve a smile on to the lips of every Syrian supporter.”

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Once full of promise Syrian football has been destroyed by civil war Omar Almasri Football theguardian.com?

 

[Sunni Man]

Oh my.........

 

[Penelope]

Yes civil war can do that, do bad the Us had to arm and send in the FSA to overtake ASSAd, see taking over of Syria was in the big plan, but backfired. Assad has been in office since 2000 so the football thing is not his doing. Assad will not brown nose Israel and ask how high jump. Too bad. But Syrian is his coutry , let him take care of it. How would you like him coming over telling the PM of Israel or Pres of the US what to do?

He also just swear in he new army Bashar al-Assad Swears In New Syria Government News teleSUR

 

[Sally]

Yes civil war can do that, do bad the Us had to arm and send in the FSA to overtake ASSAd, see taking over of Syria was in the big plan, but backfired. Assad has been in office since 2000 so the football thing is not his doing. Assad will not brown nose Israel and ask how high jump. Too bad. But Syrian is his coutry , let him take care of it. How would you like him coming over telling the PM of Israel or Pres of the US what to do?

He also just swear in he new army Bashar al-Assad Swears In New Syria Government News teleSUR

As you can see, Penelope can't get enough of dragging Israel and the U.S. into so many threads when the threads have nothing to do with Israel or the U.S.. No doubt when Penelope was living in Iran speaking Farsi and listened to those sermons in the mosques constantly criticizing Israel and the U.S., she had no problem cheering for those crazies who took over the government. At the end of the day, Penelope should be very happy that she was allowed to come to this country and away from the crazies. However, living in that little town in the South, I don't imagine she can pick up her favorite Persian foods so easily.