ZURICH: Iran has been asked to provide further information to global soccer body FIFA over a decision to drop two players from the national team after they turned out against an Israeli side for their Greek club.
Masoud Shojaie and Ehsan Hajjsafi played for Panionios against Israel鈥檚 Maccabi Tel Aviv a week ago in a Europa League match.
Iran鈥檚 Football Federation last week strongly condemned their participation, but prominent football players and many ordinary Iranians have backed the two on social media, saying they had no choice but to take part in the game.
FIFA鈥檚 statutes ban political interference in its affiliated national associations, which can be suspended if the rule is breached.
鈥淲e are currently monitoring the matter and will request additional information from the Iran Football Federation,鈥� said a FIFA spokesperson in an e-mailed statement to Reuters. 鈥淲e have no further comment for the time being.鈥�
If a country鈥檚 FA is suspended, it means both the national team and its clubs are barred from international competition.
Iran have already qualified for next year鈥檚 World Cup, making it an especially delicate matter for FIFA.
FIFA statutes state that 鈥渆ach member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties.鈥�
The decision to suspend Shojaie and Hajjsafi had been announced by Iran鈥檚 deputy sports minister Mohammad Reza Davarzani on state TV.
鈥淗ajjsafi and Shojaie have no place in Iran鈥檚 national football team anymore ... they crossed Iran鈥檚 red line,鈥� he said.
The two played in the home leg of the fixture but refused to play in the away leg in Israel, despite facing 鈥減ressure鈥� and 鈥渇inancial fines鈥� from their club, the sports ministry said.