PLDC - Iran midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi hopes FIFA will reduce his suspension.
FIFA banned Ezatolahi from his team's first game at the World Cup for his red card against South Korea in a qualifying match in Seoul on Aug. 31.
Ezatolahi brought his boot down on the head of South Korea midfielder Kim Min-jae, who had fallen facing the turf after the two clashed in an aerial challenge.
The first game of Ezatolahi's suspension was served by missing a 2-2 draw with Syria five days later, which completed Iran's qualifying program.
“I am very sad about my suspension and I hope FIFA reduces it to one match. I know that I made mistake and I will never repeat it,” Ezatolahi told Varzesh3.com.
The 22-year-old player says Team Melli has been drawn in a very difficult group at the 2018 World Cup.
“We’ve been drawn in a very tough group in Russia. Morocco is a strong team and has improved a lot in the recent years. Spain and Portugal also are the best teams in the world. We have to do our best in the competition if we want to book a place in the next stage,” the Amkar midfielder added.