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Iran Football Federation president confirms UAE clubs will no longer contract Iranian players
Jul 9, 2012 4:32:00 AM
The two Persian Gulf nations continue to have political differences, forcing several Iranian players out of the UAE Pro-League after recent moves to the competition
Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) president Ali Kafashian says UAE clubs have been ordered to no longer contract Iranian footballers for political reasons.Reports had been widespread regarding the situation and Kafashian confirmed the news in an interview with ISNA.
The decision is politically based, with tension mounting between Iran and UAE over the territorial claims of islands in the Persian Gulf between the two nations.
The situation has led to Iran international Mohammad Reza Khalatbari not seeing his loan with Al Wasl renewed, while Iman Mobali and Pejman Nouri both recently left Al Sharjah and Emirates respectively.
Previously the likes of Karim Bagheri, Ali Daei, Javad Nekounam and Ali Karimi have plied their trade in the UAE top flight.
In April, a friendly match between the two nations was cancelled for similar reasons.
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