APGENEVA - The Iranian soccer federation has denied reports that national team players were punished for wearing green wristbands in solidarity with the political opposition during a World Cup qualifier last week.
Soccer’s world governing body said Friday it received a letter from the Iranian federation “which stated that no disciplinary action has been imposed on any players of the Iran national team by any authority.”
FIFA had written to Iran on Wednesday asking for clarification on media reports that several players were permanently banned for showing support for defeated presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Players wore the wristbands during Iran’s World Cup qualifier June 17 at South Korea.
Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra overshadowed Manchester United's 2-1 win over rival Liverpool that lifted the defending champions to first place in the Premier League on Saturday.
Alex Morgan's 2 goals, including the winner in stoppage time, lift the U.S. past New Zealand 2-1.
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Gibbs: ‘Beginnings of change’ in Iran June 23: TODAY’s Matt Lauer talks to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs about the president’s response to Iran and his upcoming news conference. NBC’s Chuck Todd also weighs in on what the president will discuss. |
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