Iran footballer Azmoun kicked off national team for disloyalty, say reports

Reports say Sardar Azmoun, who plays for UAE club Shabab Al-Ahli, was expelled for Instagram post with Dubai’s ‌ruler.Sardar Azmoun, one of ⁠Iran’s top football players, has ⁠been expelled from the national team for a perceived act of disloyalty to the government, Iranian media has reported, making it unlikely he will play any part in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.Iran’s participation in the global football showpiece is under a cloud because of the ongoing conflict with the United States, who are co-hosting the June 11-July 19 tournament with Mexico and Canada.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Iran women’s football team feted in Tehran after asylum battle at Asian Cuplist 2 of 4NBA: Doncic scores 60 as Lakers top Heat for 8th straight winlist 3 of 4FIFA details Infantino’s $6m deal with 33% Club World Cup bonus increaselist 4 of 4Senegal and Morocco tied by religion and trade but divided by AFCON falloutend of listIf Team Melli do turn up for their opening-round group matches, they will ⁠undoubtedly be weakened by the absence of striker Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals in 91 internationals since making his debut as a teenager in 2014.Azmoun, who plays his club football in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Dubai club Shabab Al-Ahli, upset the Iranian authorities this week by posting a picture on his Instagram feed of a meeting with Dubai’s ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.Iran has launched rocket ‌and drone attacks on the UAE following air strikes by the US and Israel, which killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.A report on the Fars News Agency, which has links to the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited “an informed source within the national team” as saying Azmoun had been expelled from the squad.Iran forward Sardar Azmoun scores a goal during the World Cup AFC qualifiers against the UAE at the Azadi Sports Complex, Tehran, Iran, on March 20, 2025 [Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters]Pictures removedAzmoun later removed the pictures but was still lambasted on state TV on Thursday, with football pundit Mohammad Misaghi saying the striker’s actions had been an act of disloyalty.