At least 12 people have been killed in a blast while playing football in Baghdad, the latest in a series of attacks targeting Iraqis playing and watching the game.

The attack on Sunday struck the Nahrawan neighbourhood of southeast Baghdad at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) and wounded 25 others.

Most of the casualties were boys under the age of 16, sources said.

The blast is the latest in a string of attacks targeting football pitches and cafes broadcasting matches in this football-mad country where Iraqis closely follow not only the national team, but also an array of other international and club competitions.