Few wept at the death of Saddam Hussein's eldest son Udaï, after a shoot-out July 22, 2003. He features in many of the worst crimes against Iraqis who dared to criticize or oppose his sadistic will.

Perhaps as a distraction from the early playboy image of his favourite son, Saddam Hussein placed Udaï in charge of Iraqi sports, which included heading the nation's soccer federation.

Udaï was 24 years old with youthful charm when we met in February 1988 during the war with Iran. At the invitation of FIFA I went to Baghdad to present a week-long seminar for top Iraqi soccer referees. The war was nearly at an end although we sometimes heard missiles exploding on the outskirts of the city.

My base was the Al-Racheed Hotel, which later became a swarming hive of world media reporting the Gulf Wars of 1991 and 2003. We had the use of the Baghdad University for lectures and the National Stadium for practical sessions.

For added value we observed the Iraq League Cup Final between top clubs Al Racheed and the Army. The Army were expected to win because, with Udaï as President, the club had the pick of the best players.

Most of the national team were selected from the Army Club.

Late in the first half, Al Racheed scored a goal due to an error of the goalkeeper. He protested loudly that the assistant referee should have called offside. Army supporters backed him with screams of rage. Saad Salih produced a yellow card as a caution for verbal dissent. That silenced the player but, midway through the second half, Al Racheed scored what proved to be the winning goal. The goalkeeper was again at fault and imagined another offside call error. He chased the referee to the centre circle and confronted him with a tirade of verbal abuse. With commendable presence Saad Salih stepped back and calmly held up a red card for all to see.

Al Racheed pulled off a surprise 3-2 win.. A deserved victory but Army supporters were furious with the officials.

Next morning, halfway through breakfast, a federation official ordered me to go with him immediately to Udaï Hussein's office. Udaï, tall, athletic, black moustached as his father, and dressed western style, greeted me with a friendly smile, waving me into a chair facing his huge desk. Our conversation opened politely, with enquiries about my comfort at the hotel and lecture facilities. Being reassured on both counts he suddenly became grim, his voice changing to a growl. With eyes narrowed, he got straight to the reason for my summons: "What did you think of the referee last night?"

From the aggressive manner of delivery it seemed he had a definite opinion on which he wanted my confirmation.

"Mister President," I replied, "I thought he was excellent."

Staring at me with a severe expression, he said slowly, "Oh? Why?"

I gave him a good summary of my observations covering Saad Salih’s mobility, positioning, quality of decisions, co-operation with his assistants, etc. and added, "In my opinion he was absolutely correct to caution the Army goalkeeper for showing dissent by word and action in the first half and then to dismiss him for continuing dissent in the second. It took much courage to make such an unpopular decision."

Udaï pondered on my comments then spoke, "Thank you Mr Lover, very interesting. " A dismissive nod to the door told me our interview was over.

Next morning, the seminar opened with an announcement commanded by Udaï. He wanted it known that, in recognition of the excellent handling of the Cup Final by Saad Salih the referee had been rewarded with a payment of US$ 300 (about a year’s salary then); enrolled for an intensive English language course; and have the honor of accompanying the Iraq National team on a forthcoming foreign tour. Amid backslapping colleagues Saad Salih received the plaudits of his peers with the same calm and dignity he displayed on the field.

In 1988 Udaï Saddam Hussein’s sadistic nature was not in the public domain. Only later did the world learn about imprisonment and torture of national athletes and soccer players after bad results; reports by victims of whippings, beatings, immersion in sewage tanks to fester wounds, and other bestial acts.

Reading those accounts of the Jekyll and Hyde character of Udaï Saddam Hussein I shiver when I think what could have followed if my report had suggested the slightest criticism of Saad Salih’s competence, the least doubt about the deciding goal, or reservations about the dismissal of the Army goalkeeper.

© Stanley Lover 2004