Iraq trio still missing, coach not

The assistant coach at the centre of asylum claims surrounding the Iraq Olympic Football team has denied being involved in the disappearance of three players who failed to show for their flight to the Middle East.

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Saadi Toma was quoted as telling Iraq FA officials that he and the three players - Ali Abbas, Ali Mansur and Ali Kadher - would be seeking asylum in Australia, but speaking to The World Game from his sister's house in Western Sydney he claimed he was merely visiting family.

"I did not tell (Iraq FA official) Tariq Ahmed that either the players or myself were seeking asylum. That's not true," he said.

"After the game I went to the hotel to get my baggage and left for Sydney. When I left all the players were still upstairs and I have no idea how they left.

"I called him (Ahmed) and told him I was going to Sydney to visit my sister and her family, who I haven't seen for 12 years. I told him I would meet them at the airport and leave this afternoon, but I want to stay longer," he added.

"I don't know where the three missing players are. It would be impossible for them to leave on their own - they don't speak a word of English so somebody must have helped them."

Toma said he fears for his safety if he returned to Iraq but claimed he was in Australia legally.

"I have a three month visa to remain in Australia. All my family is in Australia and it's not safe to return to Iraq. I'll have a better life here so I want to stay here," Toma said.

The three players are believed to be staying with friends in Sydney after leaving the team hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Players and officials contacted by The World Game are believed to be deeply upset that the three chose to leave the team, with a vital Olympic qualifier against Lebanon on Wednesday. They are particularly puzzled as to why Abbas, a senior Iraq international would choose to remain in Australia.

The midfielder was a member of the Iraq side that won the recent Asian Cup, and following that win was presented with $150,000 and a diplomatic passport, with which it's understood he is currently travelling on.

The 20-year-old received an offer to move from his current Iraq club, Al Quwa Al Jawiya to the Iranian Pro League but it's believed he was deeply upset by being substituted in the first half of Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Olyroos.

The World Game also understands the team's injured captain, Ali Rehema, had indicated his desire to remain in Australia, but chose to leave with the rest of the side and look at a possible move to an A-League club in the future.

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