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Jordanian soccer teams’ ugly rivalry reveals deeper divide

Al-Wehdat and Al-Faisaly teams' long-standing wrath displays ethnic divisions in Jordan.
Jordan's Al-Wehdat fans cheer for their team playing against Kuwait's Al Kuwait during their AFC Cup soccer match at King Abdullah Stadium in Amman September 25, 2012. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed (JORDAN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) - RTR38ESJ
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AMMAN, Jordan — The decadeslong fight between Jordan’s soccer enemies Al-Wehdat and Al-Faisaly flared up again in June when the Jordan Football Association imposed fines on the two clubs and closed their games to the public.

The association’s disciplinary committee decided in early June, in accordance with Article 83 of the association’s disciplinary code, to play their games without spectators because of the discriminatory slogans and insults used by the two teams’ supporters on various occasions.

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