Akram played a starring role to help Iraq win the 2007 Asian Cup

Akram, 23, signed a contract with City earlier this month but he cannot travel to the UK because of immigration rules.

"I have spoken with the Iraqi government to appeal this decision," said Iraq FA president Hussein Saeed.

In Britain, seven MPs have tabled a Commons motion urging the Home Office to intervene in the matter.

The MPs are led by Labour's Dave Anderson, who said the transfer would boost the sport in Iraq, where it is a "great unifying force".

Saeed said: "I don't know why this happened, he is an exceptional player capable of playing in the English Premier League.

"But I'm confident he will get the chance to play in England."

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Manchester City have already lost an appeal against the decision, but their case also has the support of Keith Vaz, Labour MP for Leicester East.

"I shall be calling on the Home Secretary (Jacqui Smith) to review this decision," he said.

"Here we have someone who wants to come and work legitimately, a role model for his country, whose presence here can heal divisions in Iraq.

"Parliament has given ministers the right to exercise their discretion and they should use it. This case sends out all the wrong messages."

Akram played a key role in Iraq's Asian Cup victory last year and earned a two-and-a-half-year deal with City after impressing manager Sven-Goran Eriksson during a trial before the Home Office rejected his application for a work permit.

"I have huge sympathy for Nashat," admitted Eriksson. "He's a very good footballer with an excellent international pedigree.

"Nashat has now returned to the Middle East and we'll keep in touch."

Akram, born in Hilla, currently plays for Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates.