PTV - Soccer player Mehdi Mahdavikia says Iran's failure to qualify for the World Cup could widen the current gap between Iran and other Asian powers.

The veteran midfielder ended his international career after Iran's final World Cup qualifier against South Korea last month.

In a Monday letter following the end of his career, Mahdavikia said Iran's absence from the World Cup should 'raise the alarm' for Iran's Football Federation (IFF), adding that everyone should do their best to help Iran's national football team 'find the place it really deserves'.

In the latest FIFA ranking, Iran dropped six spots to 58th and remained fourth in Asia after Australia, Japan and South Korea.

“Instead of discussing issues which does not fall under their responsibilities, IFF officials should encourage the development of football in Iran. Football in other Asian countries is developing fast,” the Frankfurt midfielder said.

“It is FIFA, and not any other person or organization, which should consider possible violations in international matches,” he said.

In a letter to FIFA, the IFF made a query about the necessity of punishing four Iranian soccer players, including Mahdavikia, who wore green wristbands during the June 17 match against South Korea.

At the time, many had speculated that their wristbands were a political statement by the soccer players and a means of showing support for defeated presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi.

One of the national team's assistant coaches rejected the speculations, saying the wristbands had religious significance for the players.

FIFA has made it clear that no action will be taken against the Iranian players, as no reference had been made to the wristbands in the match reports.

Mahdavikia has been capped 111 times for the national football team and scored 13 goals.


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