Iran’s second all-time top scorer, Sardar Azmoun, has been dropped from their national squad for March friendlies.
According to reports, the former Roma and Bayer Leverkusen striker was punished for a social media post where he showed support for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the ruler of Dubai.
Azmoun is currently playing for Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates while the gulf state is in conflict with Iran.
The Fars News Agency says he was dropped from the squad for disloyalty to the government.
He was also heavily criticised on state television, but the Iranian Football Federation has not yet issued an official comment.
The post was published more than a year ago, but is pinned to the top of his Instagram profile.
In it he writes: “It was a pleasure and an honour to meet one of the most successful minds in the world, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
“Choose your club carefully.”
Iran play against Nigeria and Costa Rica during the March break with their participation in the World Cup under huge doubt.
Should the end up playing in the tournament in Americas, it seems unlikely that Azmoun would return with this being their final squad before the World Cup kicks off.
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