Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun reportedly removed from national squad
Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun has reportedly been removed from his country’s national squad just months before the World Cup, following what authorities deemed an act of betrayal against the state, reports BritPanorama.
The 31-year-old forward, who currently represents Dubai club Shabab Al-Ahli, allegedly triggered the expulsion by posting an image showing him greeting Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. The photograph has since been deleted from his social media accounts.
According to Fars News Agency, which maintains connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a source close to the national team confirmed Azmoun’s dismissal. Iran’s football federation has not yet officially verified these reports.
The reported expulsion comes against a backdrop of escalating hostilities between Iran and several nations in the region. Tehran has conducted rocket and drone strikes against the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for military actions by the United States and Israel that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. These tensions have cast doubt over Iran’s participation in this summer’s tournament.
The UAE, where Azmoun is based professionally, stands among the regional allies of Washington and Tel Aviv. Azmoun boasts an impressive international record, having netted 57 goals across 91 appearances for Iran, including at both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Iranian state television broadcast sharp criticism of the footballer, with pundit Mohammad Misaghi labelling Azmoun’s actions as disloyal to his homeland. “It’s unfortunate that you don’t have enough sense to understand what kind of behaviour is appropriate at a given time,” Misaghi stated during the broadcast. He further insisted that such players should be deemed unfit to represent their nation.
Beyond Azmoun, reports suggest authorities have moved to seize assets belonging to other footballers based in the Emirates. The Novad News channel reported on Thursday that orders had been issued targeting Azmoun, fellow striker Mehdi Ghayedi, and former international Soroush Rafiei, though the report cited no sources.
The situation echoes recent events involving Iran’s women’s national team, where seven members sought asylum in Australia after being branded “wartime traitors” on state television for refusing to sing the national anthem before a Women’s Asian Cup fixture, with five subsequently choosing to return home. Iran’s men are set to face Nigeria on 27 March and Costa Rica four days later in Turkey as World Cup preparation continues.
In a complex interplay of sports and state politics, Azmoun’s predicament underscores how swiftly loyalties can shift in a society under intense scrutiny, reminding us that the beautiful game is often entangled in the harsh realities of national identity.
