FIFA probes Iraq torture reports

FIFA probes Iraq torture reports

ZURICH (AFP): Soccer's ruling body, FIFA, has launched an inquiry into reports that the Iraqi soccer team was tortured by Uday Hussein after failing to qualify for the 1998 World Cup.

The claims, published in London last weekend, said the players were beaten on the souls of their feet after losing their Asian Group Nine match 2-1 to Kazakhstan -- ending their hopes of qualifying.

Uday Hussein, the eldest son of Suddam Hussein, is the president of the Iraq Football Federation as well as being president of the country's national Olympic Committee.

Last year Uday survived an assassination attempt.