Prominent Iranian footballer Sardar Azmoun has been expelled from the national team for actions perceived as disloyalty to the government, according to Iranian media reports. Azmoun reportedly angered authorities by posting a picture on Instagram of a meeting with Dubai’s ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This act was condemned as a breach of allegiance to the Iranian leadership amid ongoing regional tensions.

Fars News Agency, linked to the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited “an informed source within the national team” stating Azmoun’s expulsion. Azmoun later removed the pictures, but state TV continued to criticize him on Thursday, with football pundit Mohammad Misaghi labeling his behavior “childish” and questioning his worthiness to wear the national jersey.

Azmoun, 31, is one of Iran’s most renowned footballers, having played his entire club career abroad for teams like Zenit Saint Petersburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and Roma, and featuring in the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. His absence could weaken Team Melli in the upcoming World Cup, where Iran’s participation is already clouded by conflict with the United States, a co-host of the tournament.

An unsourced report on Novad News channel indicated that an order had been issued to seize assets of Azmoun, another UAE-based national team forward Mehdi Ghayedi, and former international Soroush Rafiei. This incident highlights the politicization of sports in Iran, following recent cases where part of the women’s national team sought asylum in Australia after being branded “wartime traitors” on state TV.

Iran’s men’s team is scheduled to play friendly matches in Antalya, Turkey, against Nigeria and Costa Rica as part of World Cup preparations, but without Azmoun, their prospects may be diminished. The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not yet commented on the matter.

Source: www.aljazeera.com