AFC Decreases Iran’s Fan Ban to One Match

Mehr News – The Asian Football Confederation has reduced the penalty it imposed on Iran from three to one national match in an empty stadium Friday. 
Talking to Mehr, the international affairs manager of Iran’s Football Federation said the AFC’s Disciplinary Committee was convinced to lessen the punishment due to the IFF’s follow-up.

Following the crowd trouble in the 100,000-seater Azadi Stadium, western Tehran, on Nov. 12, the confederation Wednesday announced Iran would play its next three national games at home without spectators.

Hassan Ghaffari added the committee has warned Iran will face heavy penalty if such an event occurs again.

According to the latest AFC decision, Iran will play its first 2006 World Cup preliminary match in an empty stadium at home.

North Korea walked off the pitch of Azadi Stadium in the 60th minute of its Asian Cup qualifier versus Iran when a firecracker was thrown onto the field, slightly injuring the Korean midfielder Su Hyok Chol.

Iran was ahead 1-0 in the second leg as veteran skipper Ali Daei converted a penalty three minutes before the incident. 

On Dec. 10, Iran was announced the 3-0 winner of the second leg.

The Group D-bound Iran handed North Korea a 3-1 defeat in their first-leg match in Pyongyang on Oct. 29.