GOAL - FIFA President Sepp Blatter has given
the Iranian authorities until December 5 to comply with FIFA’s ‘road map’
for change or the international ban, which has been temporarily lifted, will
be reapplied.
The world governing body last week announced that Iran was banned from all
international activities citing political interference in the running of the
game.
After frantic negotiations, FIFA has allowed the Persians to participate in
the Asian Games starting this week.
"The ban has been provisionally lifted. The team can participate in the
Asian Games," Blatter said.
"We have agreed with Iran a route that needs to be respected. We have given
them until December 5 to do so," he continued.
"In the meantime, together with the Asian Football Confederation, we have
agreed to make sure they can participate in the Asian Games.
"If they fully agree to our roadmap to a normalization of the situation,
then we will lift the ban altogether.
"If the promises are not applied, then the ban will remain effective and it
will affect the Asian Cup draw (on December 19).
Iranian football boss Dariush Mostafavi told Iranian news agency ISNA that
the IFF will meet FIFA’s demands.
"We have informed FIFA that we will adhere to all of their requests," he
said. "We plan to announce our commitment to FIFA and finalize the agreement
to bring an end to the suspension of the national team."
