“Kuwait players and their fans abused me and my family and made fun of me because my father is Pakistani while I play for the Iraqi team.”
Iraq football team player Zidane Iqbal said this. He was talking to the media after the match against Kuwait in the ongoing 27th Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia.
In this match played on Sunday, Iraq defeated Kuwait 3-2. However, along with the result of the match, the issue of Zidane Iqbal's argument with the Kuwait captain and fans is also being discussed on social media.
Many videos are going viral on social media, in which players of Kuwait and Iraq are seen pushing each other after the match.
At the same time, fans are allegedly seen throwing bottles on the field.
In this exciting match played in Jeddah between traditional rivals Iraq and Kuwait, Zidane Iqbal gave Iraq the lead by scoring the first goal in the 52nd minute.
The match was tied 2-2 till the scheduled time. However, Iraq won by scoring a third goal in extra time.
Speaking to the media after the match, Iqbal said that he had informed Kuwait captain Yousuf Nasser about the players' abusive remarks.
According to him, "I spoke to the Kuwait captain and said that I have no problem with your players, but the players were saying that my father is Pakistani and it is true."
Zidane Iqbal further said, "Thank God, I am a Muslim and we are all one ummah. So whether you are from Pakistan, Iraq or anywhere else, it does not matter. We all believe in Islam."
The controversy actually started when Zidane celebrated after scoring the first goal. There are allegations on social media that he celebrated 'wrongly' in front of Kuwaiti fans and he is being criticized for this.
Some users on social media believe that celebrating after scoring a goal is a player's right and is part of the game. However, others say that 'celebrating in a manner that provokes the opposing team's fans is wrong.'
On this issue, Zidane Iqbal said, "Before the match, I was listening to the booing of the Kuwaiti fans and thinking, 'No problem, I will score a goal and then you will see.'"
"When I looked at them and celebrated, they didn't say anything. Just kept looking at me. Then I said, OK, great. Now they'll remember the Pakistani boy who scored against Kuwait."
Iqbal further said, "If you will call my father a Pakistani and say very wrong things about my mother, then first make sure that you win. Because if I win, I will celebrate."
"If they say such things to me and I respond to them on the field, people will say that Zidane is causing trouble. But I didn't cause any trouble at the World Cup and I don't do that when playing against other teams."
Zidane said, "Football is a game of respect and I agree with that 100 percent. But if you abuse my family and disrespect them, that's fine. But first make sure you win, because after the match everything is over."
Many users commented that what happened was 'part of the competition' and could continue off the field as well. However, he protested against abusing the players and their families and bringing their personal lives into the game.
Iraq captain Ayman Hussein played a role in ending the dispute between Zidane Iqbal and Kuwait captain Yousuf Nasser. He took Youssef Nasser to the dressing room of the Iraqi team, so that there could be a reconciliation between the two.
In the reconciliation video, Iqbal told that he was angry with the booing of Kuwaiti fans. After this both of them ended the matter by hugging each other.
Many users on social media demanded that 'there should be a provision of strict and clear punishment to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all fans and people coming with children to the stadium.'
He said incidents like abuse and clashes between players or fans could discourage families and prevent them from coming to the stadium.
Some fans also believed that the provocative actions by the fans before and during the match resulted in clashes between the players. Therefore, strict action should be taken against such incidents.
A user named Masood Yasin wrote on 'X' that this is the way of thinking of some people of the Gulf and other Arab countries. They adopt a mindset based on tribal prejudice and make fun of an Iraqi player because his father is Pakistani.
He said, "What is wrong with the fact that his father is Pakistani? Isn't Pakistan a sovereign Islamic state and a nuclear power? In fact, some countries need these capabilities of Pakistan for their security, especially against Iran's missiles and drones."
"Then why this racism and contempt on the basis of lineage? Who are you to insult someone based on his father's ancestral background?"
He claimed, "Iqbal, a Pakistani by birth, unnecessarily created a controversy with the reserve players of the Kuwait team during the Gulf Cup in Basra. Why? So that he could reduce his inferiority complex and gain the sympathy of the Iraqi people. (There is a video of it if you want to watch)."
"So, if you don't know what the real problem was, don't talk about it."
A user named Khurram, referring to the recent defense agreement between Pakistan and Kuwait, said that the people of Kuwait should respect Pakistan.
Zidane Iqbal also represented Iraq in the recent Football World Cup.
Speaking to BBC Sport in June, Zidane said, "My father is Pakistani. I respect my father the most in my life. He has helped me a lot in my career."
"I play for Iraq and grew up in England. But my father was born in Pakistan. My grandfather was from there too. So I respect my family a lot."
Zidane Iqbal was born and brought up in Manchester. His father is Pakistani and mother is Iraqi.
When asked why he displays his identity on his shoes, Zidane, 23, reiterated his 'respect' for both sides of his family.
"I wear the flag of Iraq on the shoe of my left foot and the flag of Pakistan on the shoe of my right foot," he said.
