Jordan coach Adnan Hamad detained at Melbourne airport

The Jordan Football Association Friday expressed outrage after national coach Adnan Hamad was detained at Melbourne airport when flying in for their crunch World Cup qualifier against Australia.

The JFA said Hamad, an Iraqi, was held in a small room for four hours on his arrival Wednesday along with other members of the delegation.

“Jordan Football Association strongly rejects the Australian authority’s actions in Melbourne airport on Wednesday regarding Adnan Hamad,” it said in a statement.

JFA general secretary Khalil Al Salem demanded an official explanation from Australia, which is due to host the 2015 Asian Cup, and said he would contact FIFA about the matter.

He claimed all visas and entry procedures had been followed and there was no reason why Hamad should have been held. The Jordan embassy in Australia intervened and the coach was eventually allowed into the country.

Football Federation Australia was not immediately available for comment.

Japan have already qualified for the 2014 World Cup from Asian Group B, with the Socceroos and Jordan both on seven points and desperate to win the June 11 clash in Melbourne.