Stampede Outside Stadium in Iraq Kills 2, Injures Dozens

This aerial view taken on January 16, 2023 shows Iraq supporters gathering in a designated fan zone in Iraq's southern city on to watch the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final football match between Iraq and Qatar. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP)
This aerial view taken on January 16, 2023 shows Iraq supporters gathering in a designated fan zone in Iraq's southern city on to watch the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final football match between Iraq and Qatar. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP)
TT
20

Stampede Outside Stadium in Iraq Kills 2, Injures Dozens

This aerial view taken on January 16, 2023 shows Iraq supporters gathering in a designated fan zone in Iraq's southern city on to watch the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final football match between Iraq and Qatar. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP)
This aerial view taken on January 16, 2023 shows Iraq supporters gathering in a designated fan zone in Iraq's southern city on to watch the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final football match between Iraq and Qatar. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP)

A stampede outside a stadium in the southern Iraqi city of Basra killed at least two people and injured dozens Thursday.

The Iraqi News Agency said one person was killed and 60 people were injured outside the Basra International Stadium. Some of them are in critical condition.

A doctor at Basra General Hospital told The Associated Press that two people were killed and 38 were injured, some of whom have been discharged from the hospital.

The deadly incident happened as spectators gathered to attend the final match in the first international soccer tournament held in the country in four decades.

The final match in the eight-nation Arabian Gulf Cup is scheduled to be held later Thursday between Iraq and Oman.

But the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation is considering postponing the final match or moving it to another country if the security situation does not improve, Basra governor Asaad Abdel Amir told Reuters.

The tournament started on Jan. 6, with teams from the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — as well as Yemen and Iraq. It’s the first time since 1979 that Iraq has hosted the tournament.



Trump Says he Will Pardon Baseball Great Pete Rose

FILE PHOTO: Former baseball player Pete Rose attends a book-signing session of his new book "My Prison Without Bars," in New York, January 9, 2004. REUTERS/Peter Morgan
FILE PHOTO: Former baseball player Pete Rose attends a book-signing session of his new book "My Prison Without Bars," in New York, January 9, 2004. REUTERS/Peter Morgan
TT
20

Trump Says he Will Pardon Baseball Great Pete Rose

FILE PHOTO: Former baseball player Pete Rose attends a book-signing session of his new book "My Prison Without Bars," in New York, January 9, 2004. REUTERS/Peter Morgan
FILE PHOTO: Former baseball player Pete Rose attends a book-signing session of his new book "My Prison Without Bars," in New York, January 9, 2004. REUTERS/Peter Morgan

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he would pardon baseball great Pete Rose, criticizing Major League Baseball for barring the all-time hit champion from the sport's hall of fame for gambling.

Rose, who died last year at 83, was banned from baseball for life. He admitted in 2004 that he had bet on games, though never against his own team.

"Over the next few weeks I will be signing a complete pardon of Pete Rose, who shouldn’t have been gambling on baseball, but only bet on his team winning," Trump posted on Truth Social.

"He never betted against himself, or the other team. He had the most hits, by far, in baseball history, and won more games than anyone in sports history."

Trump did not say what the pardon would cover, as Rose was not convicted of a crime, Reuters reported.

In 2017 the Philadelphia Phillies canceled a ceremony to honor Rose after allegations surfaced that he had had a sexual relationship in the 1970s with a girl before she turned 16. He said she was 16, the age of consent, at the time, ESPN reported.

Rose, who spent most of his 1963-1986 career with the Cincinnati Reds, won the World Series three times and leads Major League Baseball's all-time charts in hits, games played, at-bats, singles and outs.