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| Ukrainian Football Association |
The Ukrainian Football Association will submit an appeal to FIFA in an effort to have Iran disqualified from the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
In response to Iran's "potential complicity in the military aggression of Russia against Ukraine," the executive committee of the Ukrainian Football Association (FA) has requested that Iran be barred from the competition, according to a statement released on Monday.
The nation's football team advanced to the UEFA qualification play-offs' final round before losing to Wales in June.
Russia was subsequently barred from international football by FIFA and UEFA.
Sergei Palkin, the chief executive of Shakhtar Donetsk of the Ukrainian Premier League, requested FIFA last week to bar Iran from competing in Qatar and suggested Ukraine take their place.
A statement on the Ukrainian FA’s website referenced the fact the executive committee had decided to appeal to the world governing body.
But it did not mention the possibility of replacing them at the tournament.
“Taking into account media information about systematic human rights violations in Iran, which may violate the principles and norms of the FIFA Statutes, (there is the need to sanction Iran).
“Also, taking into account the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding the imposition of sanctions on Iran and the possible involvement of Iran in the military aggression of Russia against Ukraine, (we wish) to make a request to FIFA.
“This is for FIFA to consider excluding the Iranian national team from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
Iran’s opening game of the World Cup is scheduled to take place on November 21 against England.
Meanwhile, the Bosnia and Herzegovina FA has confirmed the proposed friendly with Russia on November 19 has been postponed, though the intention remains for it to be played “at a future date”.
(dpa/NAN)