Enab Baladi – Hassan Ibrahim

The Syrian sports officials have mobilized efforts to address the issue of frozen funds held by FIFA, hoping to recover them to revitalize and boost the sports sector, along with seeking cooperation with Arab and Western countries to salvage facilities from their dilapidated state.

There are no precise figures about the size of the frozen funds, but it is circulated that their value with FIFA amounts to $11.5 million, although these figures are unofficial.

Ibrahim Yassin, a member of the advisory committee in the Syrian Football Association, told Enab Baladi that the figures regarding the frozen funds are conflicting due to instability and the resignation of the previous Syrian federation, but efforts are ongoing to recover them.

He added that FIFA relies on several items, including a project fund valued at $7 million, and operational expenses worth $250,000, noting that these figures are still not accurate.

Yassin explained that the frozen funds with FIFA are part of a series of Western sanctions imposed on some Syrian institutions during the previous regime, indicating that the new Syrian administration is following up on the removal of sanctions, including the frozen funds.

If the funds are recovered and enter the federation’s budget, Yassin said that the majority would be allocated to renovate and develop the completely dilapidated sports facilities.

There are allocations from the funds aimed at building teams and age groups in all clubs, holding courses and training to develop sports capabilities, and supporting club facilities with all the requirements for success to uplift Syrian football and sports in general, according to Yassin.

Currently, all sports facilities in Syria are unfit to host any sports activities.

Ibrahim Yassin, member of the advisory committee in the Syrian Football Association

Qatari promises to renovate 5 stadiums

Regarding the appropriate conditions to hold or host international matches (friendly or qualifying) in Syria, Yassin stated that these are linked to lifting the ban on stadiums, eliminating previous corruption, and providing sports facilities capable of hosting any activity that meets the standards and conditions.

There is no stadium in Syria qualified to host international matches, only local matches between clubs, because the facilities do not meet the requirements, with some lacking electricity and digital panels, and the grass quality being unsuitable.

Ibrahim Yassin, member of the advisory committee in the Syrian Football Association

In his speech to Enab Baladi, a member of the advisory committee in the Syrian Football Association confirmed Qatari promises to renovate 5 stadiums, pointing out that the Syrian Federation is working on creating a study and sending it to Qatar.

He mentioned that the facilities office in the General Sports Federation has prepared a study for all sports facilities and sent it to Arab and European countries, exploring every avenue to revive the sports facilities, noting the calls made to Qatar and Saudi Arabia regarding sports competitions in Syria.

Yassin pointed out the dilapidated state of Syrian stadiums, which the previous regime turned into military barracks and platforms for launching rockets at neighborhoods and civilians.

After the start of the Syrian revolution in March 2011, Qatar severed relations with the previous Syrian regime, due to Qatar’s support of the Syrian opposition through its media and funds.

The Syrian regime sought to use and exploit the successes of the national team and its players to achieve political and media purposes, portraying them as achievements alongside its forces in their “war against terrorism,” according to the official narrative.

Political decisions overshadowed the sports system in Syria, especially football, manifested in many decisions not based on internal regulations of the sports federation, but rather on “political considerations.”

After the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011, FIFA imposed a ban on Syrian stadiums, forcing the Syrian national team to play its matches abroad. FIFA also sent several committees and announced its intention to send others to Syria to “assess the situation” and monitor the electoral conference of the Syrian Football Association.

Athletes and fans are looking forward to opening a new chapter in the world of Syrian sports, especially after years of lack of championships and sporting competitions in Syria, which have failed to meet the basic requirements of the game, including equipment and qualified personnel.