2012–13 Iraqi Elite League


The 2012–13 Iraqi Elite League was the 39th season of the competition since its establishment in 1974. The season began on 19 October 2012 and finished on 4 September 2013. Al-Shorta ended up as the champions with 72 points, two points ahead of nearest rivals Erbil. Al-Shorta were defeated only twice in the entire season and this was their fourth Premier League title; it was also the first time they had won the league since 2003. Having finished above the relegation zone on goal difference just two seasons prior, Al-Shorta had undergone a transformation under the presidency of Ayad Bunyan and were able to outperform favourites Erbil, Duhok, Zakho, Al-Zawraa, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Al-Talaba.
On the final day of the season, three teams were all still in the race for the title. Al-Shorta needed a win against Al-Talaba to secure the league, whilst Erbil had to defeat Al-Najaf and hope that Al-Shorta failed to win their game if they wanted to retain their title. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya needed both Al-Shorta and Erbil to slip up and needed to defeat Masafi Al-Wasat by a large goal margin in order for them to go home with the trophy. All three teams ended up winning their respective matches, making Al-Shorta the champions.

SWAT incident

On 23 June 2013, after a match with Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, seven football players of Karbalaa and their manager were beaten by the anti-terror police. They used sticks and batons against the eight men. Five of them were in critical condition, and on June 30, Mohammed Abbas Al-Jabouri, the club's manager, died in hospital.

League table

Results table

Season statistics

Top scorers

Hat-tricks

Media coverage

Awards

The Player of the Season was awarded to Hussein Abdul-Wahid of Al-Shorta.