Iran fires three top football officialsJune 27, 2011 - 12:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran’s three top football officials were fired for dereliction of duty on Sunday, June 26, as the national squad suffered an early exit from the Olympic qualification race. According to Tehran Times, the officials were involved in a curious incident in which Iran football Olympic team failed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Iran beat Iraq 1-0 in the first leg of the Olympic qualifiers on June 19 in Arbil but the coaches were informed just hours before the start of the second leg that Iraqi team had been awarded a 3-0 victory since Iran used a suspended player in the match. Iran had to beat Iraq in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium 4-0 to reserve a seat in the next stage but the disheartened Persians lost 2-0 to their neighbors. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had already informed the Iranian Football Federation (FFI) about the suspension, but the AFC letter to the FFI was weirdly lost. In the session held at the Iran Football Federation on Sunday, Ali Kaffashian, head of the Football Federation, sacked Fereydoon Moeini, the head of the national team management committee, Asghar Hajiloo, supervisor of Iran’s Olympic team, and Davoud Parhizgar, member of staff over their lack of concern. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |