Uday Saddam and the Dark Period for Iraqi Athletes

Iraqi football went through a difficult period full of panic and humiliation, when “Uday Saddam” took over the Iraqi Football Association and the Iraqi Olympic Committee from 1984 until 2003. He was the son of the president who had unlimited powers, and he was sadistic and violent. During the period of “Uday’s” influence, unusual things entered into sports, as Iraqi athletes were exposed to threats, beatings and torture in crazy ways, and even b…