The Football Association of Ukraine (UAF) will submit a request to FIFA to exclude Iran from the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. This was decided by the executive committee of the UAF on Monday.
The UAF believes that Iran should be banned because of the heavy-handed police crackdown on demonstrators. They took to the streets after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested in September for allegedly breaking the dress code.
The Iranian government’s conduct is “contrary to FIFA’s principles and standards,” according to the UAF. The UAF also mentions “Iran’s possible involvement in Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine”.
Recently Shakhtar Donetsk chairman Sergei Palkin also argued for the exclusion of Iran. He wants Ukraine to take the place at the World Cup. The country invaded by Russia was knocked out by Wales during the play-offs.
Women’s rights group also called for exclusion
The Football Federation of Ukraine is not the first party to call for an exclusion of Iran. Earlier the Iranian women’s rights group Open Stadiums wrote in a statement that the country should be punished for the way it treats its own people.
In a letter to FIFA, Open Stadiums invoked the statutes of the World Football Association on human rights and combating discrimination based on, among other things, gender. A consequence of a violation of these rules could be exclusion.
Iran’s players protested in September before an exhibition game with Senegal against the violence used to crush protests against the regime. They wore black jackets, covering the national federation’s logos.
FIFA has not yet responded to the requests. Iran is at the World Cup in Qatar classified with England, Wales and the United States. Iran’s first game is against England on November 21.
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