Sports / Soccer |
FIFA lifts Iran's ban for Asian Games(AP)Updated: 2006-11-27 14:04 DOHA, Qatar _ FIFA has temporarily lifted its competition ban on Iran, meaning it will be allowed to try and defend its Asian Games soccer title. The soccer world governing body's decision means a new draw will need to be made for the second round of the Games tournament, Asian Games organizers said Monday. FIFA suspended Iran from international soccer Wednesday for failing to reinstate its elected president, Mohammed Dadgan, and comply with FIFA statutes regarding the independence of member associations. Iran, which has won the Asian Games title in 1974, 1990, 1998 and 2002, was banned after a meeting of FIFA's emergency council. The Iran ban, along with the withdrawal of Yemen and Turkmenistan last week, meant that five teams from the eight-team qualifying first round, headed by Iraq, advanced to the second round. In the original draw Sunday, Iraq had replaced Iran as the seeded team in Pool D. Jordan and Iraq will remain in the tournament to replace Yemen and Turkmenistan, along with a further two teams from the qualifying round, organizers said. The second round begins Tuesday, with the 24 teams split into six groups of four. The top team from each group, along with the top two runners-up, will advance to the quarterfinals.
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