FIFA urged to ban Iran from World Cup

[Kire]

FIFA urged to ban Iran from World Cup

STRASBOURG, France (AP) - Five members of the European Parliament urged FIFA on Wednesday to remove Iran from this year's World Cup in Germany.

FIFA, world soccer's governing body, has previously rejected calls by U.S. and European politicians to kick Iran out of the tournament because of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comments saying the Holocaust was a ''myth'' and calling for Israel's destruction.

Ahmadinejad ''appears intent on using his country's participation for his own political purposes,'' claimed a letter signed by five of the legislature's 732 members. It did not elaborate.

''Ahmadinejad ... cannot expect the world to stand idly by as he takes every opportunity - including the World Cup - to provoke and offend,'' the letter said.

The European Union's assembly has no legal power to impose a decision on FIFA or the authorities of Germany, which is hosting the tournament that kicks off on June 9.

FIFA has repeatedly insisted it will not mix politics with sports by taking action against Iran, which will play Portugal, Mexico and Angola in the first round.

More: http://soccer.sportsnet.tsn.ca/news_story/?id=93

[Blue_Tires]

1. yes, let's punish a sports team for the political policies of a President

jeez

[peacebuzzard]

2. let the games continue.......they tied today 1 to 1

[Endangered Specie]

3. If we are going to ban countries for denying mass genocides...

then ALOT more countries should be banned too.

[ContraBass Black]

4. It would be a half-world cup.

[AnnieBW]

5. A Freeper's Dilemma

Who to cheer against in that match - Mexico or Iran? At least with Mexico, you can be assured that there's at least some Mexicans that aren't trying to come to the US illegally. :crazy:

[peacebuzzard]

6. LOL!!!

:rofl:

[peacebuzzard]

7. Mexico 1 Iran 0......

Great goal by Mexico....I wish I could have been in a good place to watch the whole match but I was commuting to work at the time.