Iran suspends soccer ties with Greece after friendly nixed
Match in Istanbul abruptly cancelled amid ongoing Greece-Turkey tensions
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s official IRNA news agency says the country’s soccer federation has suspended all relations with its Greek counterpart after a friendly between the two nations scheduled in Istanbul was abruptly cancelled amid ongoing Greece-Turkey tensions.
IRNA carried a statement late Thursday by the Iranian federation, saying the cancellation inflicted “serious damage” to the Iranian national team’s preparations for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The statement said Iran will take “legal action” through FIFA to force Greece to financially compensate the Iranian players and sport over the cancellation.
The friendly was scheduled for Saturday in Istanbul. IRNA reported that after Greece pulled out, the Kosovo team was to take its place but that substitute friendly also got cancelled.
The friendlies were supposed to be in preparation for the World Cup.
