TEHRAN – Members of the Iranian Veteran Sports Journalists Association have asked Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officials to stay neutral between Iranian and Saudi Arabian clubs. The Iranian journalists in a letter asked Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, to consider spirit of Fair Play. “We are writing to express our disbelief with the […]

TEHRAN – Iran’s Football Federation has asked the AFC to respect Iranian football clubs’ freedom of choice in selecting their host venues when they meet Saudi teams. In a letter to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Iran has officially asked the Asian body to respect the rights of the Iranian teams when it comes to […]

Defending champion Iran is the favorite to lift the title again in Chinese Taipei, the-afc.com reported. Mohammad Nazemosharia’s side prepares to open its defense against Myanmar on Feb 2. Team Melli, who won the Asian Indoors in Ashgabat last year, beating Uzbekistan 7-1 in the final, topped its group during qualification as it maintained a […]

TEHRAN- Reigning champion Iran, who has won the title 11 times, has been drawn in Group C alongside Iraq, China PR and Myanmar. Three time winner Japan will have Uzbekistan, Korea Republic and Tajikistan for company in Group B. Japan last won the tournament with back-to-back titles in 2012-2014 with their first being in 2006. […]

TEHRAN- The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Aliasghar Hasanzadeh was named the AFC Futsal Player of the Year for the third time, ahead of compatriot Touhid Lotfi and Thailand’s forward Jirawat Sornwichian. After receiving the award in 2014 and 2016, the 30-year-old from the city of Qom joins the ranks of compatriot Vahid Shamsaei, who also […]

TEHRAN – Iran was named the AFC Inspiring Member Associations of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards 2017 on Wednesday. The Iranian federation claimed the award of the AFC Inspiring Member Associations of the Year in the ceremony held at the Aksra Theatre King Power in Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday. Iran was the first […]

The Iranian football teams cannot play in front of their eager fans against Saudi Arabian teams just for political reasons, however sport is always above politics. In March 2016, AFC had ruled the clubs from Saudi Arabia and Iran had to play each other at neutral venues. The decision was taken after two countries failed […]

TEHRAN  – Japan’s Urawa Reds football team defeated 10-man Al Hilal 1-0 on Saturday to win the Asian Champions League for a second time. Brazilian Rafael Silva smashed a late winner in 88th minute at Saitama Stadium. The forward scored in last weekend’s 1-1 first-leg draw in Riyadh. With 12 minutes remaining, Al Hilal’s Salem […]

TEHRAN – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced the full list of nominees for this year’s AFC Annual Awards. The gala will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov. 29. Iran Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (IFFIRI), Japan Football Association and Korea Football Association have been nominated for the AFC Member Association of […]

Persepolis coach Branko Ivankovic says that they will fight until the last second against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the second leg of the AFC Champions League semi-final. The Iranian giant suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat against Al Hilal last month and now face an uphill task in return match. “First of all, we are […]