07.11.2026 00:50
Iraqi footballer Montader Madjed, who plays for Sweden's Hammarby, faced death threats after turning down an invitation from the national team. Adi al-Rubaie, an official of the Iraqi club Al-Shorta, said of the 21-year-old footballer, "I would have anyone who does not show respect for my country executed." The Iraqi Football Association reacted to the statement and requested that legal proceedings be initiated against the official.
The controversy that began when Montader Madjed refused to join the squad in the Iraqi national team grew with the remarks of a club executive. Al-Shorta Board Member Adi al-Rubaie's threat to have the young footballer executed also drew a reaction from the Iraq Football Federation.
“I WILL HAVE THE PERSON WHO DOES NOT SHOW RESPECT FOR MY COUNTRY'S NAME EXECUTED”
Speaking to Dijlah television, Al-Shorta executive Adi al-Rubaie targeted Montader Madjed, who did not accept the national team invitation. Al-Rubaie said, “I will have the person who does not show respect for my country's name executed.” When the presenter asked whether these words were excessive, he replied, “No, absolutely not exaggerated.”
HARSH REACTION FROM THE FEDERATION
The Iraq Football Federation condemned the threat against the young player. Federation Spokesperson Ahmed Al-Falluji reacted to Al-Rubaie, saying, “This is a disgusting statement. Legal proceedings should be initiated against the person who made these remarks.”
HE HAD CHOSEN IRAQ OVER SWEDEN
Montader Madjed, 21, who holds Swedish and Iraqi citizenship, plays for Sweden's Hammarby. The right winger, who represented the Swedish national team in youth categories, made his choice in favor of Iraq in 2023 and had played four times for the country's senior national team.
HE COULD NOT GO TO THE WORLD CUP
However, earlier this year, a video in which his friends mocked the Iraqi national team surfaced, straining relations between Madjed and the national team. After the events, the footballer, who admitted his mistake, was not included in the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
HE WAS INVITED AGAIN BUT DID NOT ACCEPT
As relations between the parties began to improve, Iraqi national team Head Coach Graham Arnold called Madjed back into the squad. However, the young footballer did not accept the invitation. Speaking about his decision, Madjed said, “This is a complicated situation, and right now I want to focus primarily on here. For now, I do not want to fly anywhere.”