Iraq elects new head of soccer association

Iraqi soccer officials have elected a new leader to head the sport's governing body after months of political turmoil and delay.

Members of the Iraqi Football Association met Saturday in Baghdad and elected Najeh Hamoud to lead the association for the next four years.

Hamoud is a Shiite from the southern city of Najaf who has been serving as the federation's deputy head.

He beat the only other candidate in the running, Falah Hassan, who was believed to be backed by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government.

Iraqi soccer officials last year failed to elect new leadership after allegations of government interference in the sport's affairs. FIFA gave the association a year to hold new elections.