TEHRANTIMES - Qatar Sports Club defender Hadi Aghili apologized to all Iranian fans and explained why he left the national team’s camp on the night before the match against Lebanon in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifier.  

The 32 years defender left the camp without informing Iranian officials after he found out that he was not in the starting lineup.

Esmaeil Hassanzadeh, the director of the Iranian Football Federation’s disciplinary committee, had said that it was “disrespectful” to the Iranian national football team and Aghili must explain himself.

“I don't turn my back on Iran football team. Without a doubt, I always love Iran football team. Playing for national team is a great honor. I apologize to the Iranian people because of leaving the camp but I thought the team doesn’t need me at that moment,” Aghili was quoted by Fars News Agency as saying.

Aghili has played 69 times for Iran football team and scored 10 goals.