Baghdad’s Red army LIVERPOOL FANATICS...3,500 MILES AWAY
AN unlikely group of football fans are bringing the spirit of Anfield to a restaurant in Iraq.
Hundreds of Liverpool-obsessed lads have formed their own supporters’ club despite living 3,500 miles from the city.
Charity worker Robert Cole, 58, was speechless when he was introduced to the Baghdad Reds who can trace their love for the side back to the glory days of Bill Shankly.
Rob often travels to the Middle East as communications chief of AMAR International, who provide aid, healthcare and education.
He said: “I was taken aback to see such a following in Baghdad of all places.
“It’s amazing to find out that people who have so many troubles on their plate dedicate so much of their lives to a club thousands of miles away.”
AMAR’s general director in Iraq Dr Ali Muthanna fell in love with Liverpool FC back in the 70s but thought he was the only Reds fan in the country.
Rob said: “He’s found out over the last decade that he’s not the only one.
“In fact there’s about
300 Liverpool fans in Baghdad.
“We’ve been to a few Anfield games with them. And thanks to one of our biggest supporters they have also watched the game in luxury in a huge box.”
The box is owned by Wayne Scholes who is from Shropshire but now lives in Utah.
Wayne takes the 12hour flight to the UK every other week to watch games and also travels to European matches. Dr
Ali has been in the box around six times. Previously, he flew to Liverpool and found a ticket wherever he could.
Only a handful of the Baghdad Reds have visited Anfield but they watch every fixture at a Baghdad restaurant.
Rob said: “They sing the songs and never miss a game on TV. It’s a brilliant atmosphere and, dare I say it, almost Anfield-esque.” When one of them does go to Merseyside he is given a shopping list for merchandise.
Rob told us “They spend quite a while in the Anfield shop as often friends and family will have made requests.
“So they’ll bring an empty suitcase and fill it with merchandise for the trip back.”
For the fans in Muslim Iraq, watching Egyptian star Mo Salah tear up the pitch in a red shirt is extra special.
Rob added: “It’s been a great help Mo Salah is putting nor mal Muslims in a good light.
“Most people there are just like him.
“So when the world’s image of the religion tends to be a bad one it’s great that he reflects the reality.”