Iranian players banned from UAE league

PFDC – TEHRAN, Iranian football federation (IFF) president Ali Kafashian confirmed what had been reported before, stating that UAE clubs have been ordered not to have any Iranian players under contract anymore in an interview with Iranian news agency ISNA.

The decision is reportedly linked to political issues, which had also led to the UAE cancelling a football friendly against Team Melli in spring.

Most recently, Iman Mobali and Pejman Nouri have been released from their UAE clubs whereas Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari’s contract at Al Wasl will not be renewed, despite his coach Diego Maradona clearly announcing his eagerness to keep the Iranian national team winger.

The UAE had been a popular target for many Iranian footballers, including some of Iran’s best such as Ali Daei, Ali Karimi, Karim Bagheri, Javad Nekounam and many more.

However, the large contingent of Iranian players in the low-quality UAE league had always triggered critisicm inside Iran.

Meanwhile Qatar seems to overtake UAE’s former role, with Qatar Stars League clubs having signed Khalatbari, Hadi Aghily and Farhad Majidi last season and Al Kharitiyath already having secured the services of Team Melli midfielder Andranik Teymourian for next season.

Reportedly, some further Iranians are on Qatari clubs’ whishlists.