Aghily’s sudden departure before Lebanon clash

PFDC – TEHRAN, Qatar SC legionnaire Hadi Aghily (32) surprisingly left the training camp of the Iranian national team ahead of the Asian Cup qualifier against Lebanon in Tehran without further details.

The 32-year-old centre-back and longtime Iranian international reportedly turned his back on his teammates after being informed by Iran coach Carlos Queiroz that Aghily would not make it to the starting line-up.

Even though a clarifying statement of both parties regarding this inexcusable act would explain the situation to the supporters of the Iranian football national team, it is an alarming trend within Team Melli that after Esteghlal goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati, another player refused to sit on the bench due to an imminent competition and therefore left the team in desperate times.

Aghily now is likely to receive a lifetime ban for the Iranian national team and possibly the Iranian league, according to the Iranian football federation’s disciplinary committee.