Ukraine soccer body asks FIFA to remove Iran from World Cup

The Ukrainian soccer federation urges FIFA to remove Iran from the World Cup next month, alleging human rights violations and supplying the Russian military with weapons.

The call was made three weeks before Iran is due to face England in the first Group B game in Qatar. The group also includes the United States and Wales.

The Ukrainian federation’s executive committee did not ask for Iran to be replaced at the tournament by the Ukraine team which lost to Wales in a European playoff final in June.

Ukraine taking Iran’s place was the suggestion last week by the country’s top club, Shakhtar Donetsk, in a similar appeal to FIFA.

FIFA has not commented on the Ukrainian requests and does not typically suspend member federations because of military decisions by a national government.