Depressed Iranian players plan to be champions again

AFP - FIFA banning Iran's football team for government interference in the sport has spraked depression among the team, but a reprieve has buoyed hopes that they can be champions once again.

"That was a terrific shock for us," said Iran's veteran Brazilian coach Rene Simoes on the banon Tuesday.

"Our players were depressed to hear that news, but now as we are here to play they are trying to forget about those circumstances.

"It was also very difficult for me as I've never faced such a ban in my whole football career."

The team was banned late last month from all international competition but the ban was provisionally lifted just before the Asian Games began.

FIFA set a deadline that expires Tuesday for its conditions to be met to enable the ban to be lifted permanently.

Simoes, who guided Jamaica to an unlikely place at the 1998 World Cup, said they were now focused on defending their title here.

"Everything is going excellent," he said.

"We want to be champions again. We'll play our usual football here. I'm Brazilian and Brazilians never play for silver medals."

FIFA's Emergency Committee charged said Tehran had violated Article 17 of the FIFA Statute, which relates to the independence of national football associations free of any government interference.

It was unhappy when the Iranian football federation's elected president, Mohammed Dadkan, was sacked following complaints by lawmakers after the national team's World Cup failure in Germany.

Iran's football chief Dariush Mostafavi has said they are now working to meet FIFA's demands.

Iran face India in their final group game on Wednesday where a point will guarantee their place in the quarter-finals.