Former Socceroos manager left 'stranded' in Iraq amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran
Amid escalating conflicts between Israel and Iran, flights have been grounded in Iraq with Baghdad airport being closed last week.
The 61-year-old football coach, who was appointed Iraq's new coach in May, is said to be 'safe' but is 'unsettled'.
The Courier Mail reports the football manager has told friends he was nervous that the US Embassy, located less than a kilometre from his hotel, had been closed by President Donald Trump last week.
He had planned to stay in the country for a week after Iraq's international matches at the beginning of the month.
A friend of Arnold's told the outlet: 'Arnie is stuck in Baghdad, the airport is closed.
'He is safe but unsettled and uncomfortable. He is staying at a high-security Baghdad hotel.'
They added: 'Graham isn't saying much but the only worry is whether this could escalate to involve other countries.
'Hopefully, the airport opens in the next 24 hours.'
It is understood that several other members of his coaching team are also unable to leave the country.
Zeljko Kalac, a member of his coaching staff, is said to have left on the last flight out of Baghdad.
Multiple airlines have been avoiding the airspace around Iraq, Iran and Jordan.
Emirates and Qatar Airways have also cancelled flights to Iraq.
It comes as Israel and Iran have launched multiple missile strikes against eachother in recent days.
Arnold, who hails from Sydney, enjoyed a glittering 20-year career on the pitch, playing for Sydney United, Liege, and NAC Breda before he hung up his boots in 2000.
He would later step into coaching, taking charge of the Australian national side on two occasions, while also taking charge of Sydney United and Northern Spirit.
Arnold, an inductee of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, had taken charge of two matches for Iraq, before conflicts between Israel and Iran arose in recent days.
On June 5, Iraq were beaten 2-0 by South Korea, Arnold's first game in charge of the National side. Five days later he claimed his first win as the country's head coach, beating Jordan 1-0 in their World Cup Qualifying match at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan.
The football coach stepped down from his role as the manager of the Australian national side in September with two years left on his contract.
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Reuters
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Israel has begun first stages of its planned assault on Gaza City, says Israeli military spokesman
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Israel to call up around 60,000 reservists before planned offensive on Gaza City, says Israeli military official – Middle East crisis live
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A 58% majority of Americans believe that every country in the United Nations should recognise Palestine as a nation, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, as Israel and Hamas considered a possible truce in the nearly two-year-long war. 33% of respondents did not agree that UN members should recognise a Palestinian state and 9% did not answer. German prosecutors have charged a Russian national they suspect of planning an attack on the Israeli embassy in Berlin and of trying to join militant organisation Islamic State, they said on Wednesday. Prosecutors believe the accused, identified only as Akhmad E. in line with German privacy rules, obtained instructions from the Internet on how to make explosives but the plan failed as he could not get the components he needed. Updated at 1.50pm CEST
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Israel calls up 60,000 reservists for Gaza City invasion
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