Reuters - World soccer's ruling body FIFA has
decided to lift its international ban on Iran, FIFA president Sepp Blatter
said on Sunday.
FIFA's decision came after 11th hour talks before Tuesday's draw for the
2007 Asian Cup finals.
"We have reached an agreement with the Iran football federation that allows
Iran to participate in the draw for the Asian Cup," Blatter told reporters.
"It comes into effect from tomorrow. I put an embargo on it for today but I
know you will not respect it. I hope our Iranian friends won't mind."
FIFA's executive committee suspended Iran from all international
competitions last month because of government interference in running the
game in the country.
A solution had looked beyond both sides with Blatter describing how FIFA had
received "alarming phone calls" from the country.
However, emergency talks with the Islamic Republic of Iran Football
Federation (IRIFF) involving FIFA and Asian Football Confederation chief
Mohamed Bin Hammam yielded a breakthrough.
"I am grateful that the government of Iran understands that we are not
interfering in national politics," Blatter said before Sunday's Club World
Cup final in Yokohama.
"If you are part of the FIFA family then you have to observe FIFA
regulations.
"I am also grateful to Mohamed Bin Hammam who acted as the moderator in this
case."
FIFA's ban came just five months after Iran had taken part in the World Cup
in Germany and only a week after they secured their place in next year's
Asian Cup finals.
Iran's under-23 team were allowed to participate at this month's Asian Games
in Doha as a concession but FIFA's suspension provoked a furious reaction in
soccer-mad Iran.
Kenya was also banned in October for failing to honour agreements and for
the chaos in the African nation's troubled federation.
