IFF takes coach’s side in Ali Karimi case

MNA – TEHRAN, President of Iran Football Federation (IFF) Ali Kaffashian showed support for Iran coach Afshin Ghotbi after he refused iconic midfielder Ali Karimi a call up to Iran’s team.

Ali Karimi has been dropped out from Iran’s squad temporarily in a warm-up match against Armenia on August 11.

“IFF respects Iran’s coaching staff’s decisions. There will be no intervention,” Kaffashian said.

Osasuna’s Iranian duo Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei have also been left out of Iran’s national team for the match.