The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Sunday confirmed that the
Iranian U-23 football team had withdrawn from the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 due
to the suspension from world soccer governing body FIFA.
"As Iran were suspended by FIFA in all international football activities,
their place in Group D is replaced by Iraq," said senior AFC official Farouk
Bouzo in Doha.
FIFA made the decision to punish the Islamic Republic of Iran Football
Federation (IRIFF) on Nov. 22 due to the alleged government interference in
football matters and violation of Article 17 of the FIFA Statutes.
The Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee (DAGOC) had planned to hold a draw
ceremony on Saturday after Iran, Yemen and Turkmenistan withdrew from the Games.
But the draw was postponed to Sunday, because the DAGOC and the AFC had to wait
for FIFA's latest decision, revealed a media official of the Doha Games.
"I have no comments on Iran's suspension, as it's the decision made by FIFA,"
Buozo told Xinhua.
