Football players of the Iranian national team Haji Safi and Masud Shojai, playing for the Greek club "Panionios", are excluded from the national team for playing against Israeli "Maccabi" (Tel Aviv). This is reported by The Times Of Israel with reference to the Iranian Sports Minister Reza Davarzani.
"Safi and Shojii no longer have a place in the national team because they crossed the red line. They receive money on contract with the club, but they play with representatives of the disgusting regime. This is unacceptable for Iranian people, "Davarzani said.
The midfielders refused to play against Maccabi in the first match of the qualifying round of the Europa League in Israel, despite the fine that the club threatened them. However, they took to the field in the return match, which took place on August 4 in Greece. Following the results of the two meetings, Panionios lost with a total score of 0: 3.
Safi has 84 matches in the Iranian national team, Shoji was 71 times on the field in the national team shirt.
Relations between Iran and Israel remain tense since the 1970s. In particular, Tehran accuses the Israelis of occupying sacred places for Islam. The country also has a ban on visiting Israel: for such an offense, a prison sentence of two to five years is provided. In turn, Israel sees a threat in the Iranian nuclear program.