Iran's Football Fallout: Omission of Sardar Azmoun Sparks Controversy Ahead of World Cup The recent announcement of Iran's 30 man preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup has left many puzzled, particularly with regards to the omission of veteran striker Sardar Azmoun.
Azmoun, a stalwart in Iran's forward line with 57 goals in 91 appearances, was seemingly punished for posting an innocuous Instagram picture of a meeting with Dubai's ruler, which sparked a media frenzy and criticism from state TV.
The decision to exclude Azmoun raises questions about the priorities of Iran's football authorities, particularly head coach Amir Ghalenoei.