Iranian ‘Harry Kane’ axed from World Cup squad after posting disloyal image
Sardar Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals in 91 games for the Middle East state, has been left out of the squad after an Instagram post showing him meeting the ruler of Dubai
Azmoun is giving priority to families with children, infants and the elderly following his generous offer(Image: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Iran has axed one of its top strikers from its World Cup squad for posting an Instagram picture backing one of the nations it has been bombing. Sardar Azmoun, 31, was reportedly expelled from the national team for an act of disloyalty to the government during the US-Israel war.
The footballer, who plays for Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, has been left out of Iran’s 30-strong squad for the tournament jointly hosted by the US. He upset Iranian authorities in March by posting a picture on his Instagram feed of a meeting with Dubai’s ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, according to local reports.
Iran has bombed Dubai in revenge for US-Israeli airstrikes. A Fars News Agency report quoted ‘an informed source within the national team’ as saying Azmoun had been expelled.
The player removed the picture but was still lambasted on state TV. Azmoun has scored 57 goals in his 91 appearances for his country and was in Iran’s squad in its last two appearances at the World Cup.
Iran’s forward line at the World Cup will instead be led by Mehdi Taremi who plays for Greek team Olympiacos FC and has scored 59 goals in 103 international matches.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei said: “Selecting 30 players for this final training camp ahead of the World Cup was the most difficult technical decision of my coaching career.
He said he had chosen players solely on ‘technical criteria’. The Iranian squad and support staff have still not been issued visas for the World Cup.
Iranian football chiefs have presented FIFA with 10 conditions for their participation at the tournament which kicks off on June 11 in the US, Mexico and Canada.
The Middle East state wants America to grant entry visas to team members and officials who have completed military training with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – aka IRGC.
It is a banned terrorist organisation in Canada and the US.
Taremi, 33, who is Iran’s captain, reportedly completed two years of mandatory military service within the IRGC Navy in 2012.
Veteran star Ehsan Hajsafi also reportedly served with the IRGC.
Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj, who served in Isfahan Province, was denied entry to Canada before last month’s FIFA Congress.
While coach Saeed Elhayi is said to have been previously denied a visa for his military service.
FIFA has assured them their requests will be satifised.
The squad is expected to undergo fingerprinting as part of the visa process before beginning its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
Iran is due to play Belgium in the same city and then Egypt in Seattle.
