AFC turns down Iran appeal against Iraq player
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has rejected Iran’s formal complaint concerning the eligibility of an Iraqi player.
The complaint was based on an alleged violation of doping rules during the time Iraqi midfielder Alaa Abdul-Zahra was playing for the Iranian club Teraktorsazi last year.
Houshang Moghaddas, the head of the Iranian delegation discussing the issue with AFC’s disciplinary committee, said on Sunday, “It’s (appeal) rejected. They said this player can carry on and play.”
Moghaddas made the remarks after lengthy talks over the issue in the city of Sydney.
“Iraq tomorrow can play ... tomorrow morning we fly (home),” he added.
If the committee had given a green light to the Iranian appeal, Iran’s national football team could have advanced to the last four of the Asian Cup despite a loss to Iraq in the quarterfinals.
The Iraqi player was tested positive on Methylhexanamine while playing for Teraktorsazi late summer 2014, but the case was not followed up by the Iranian Football Federation due to his departure from Iran in September.
Iraq won Friday’s dramatic competition against its neighbor 7-6 on penalty shootouts after Iran was reduced to 10 men. The extra time ended 3-3.
IA/HSN
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