Iran’s football federation has suspended all relations with its Greek counterpart after a friendly between the two nations scheduled in Istanbul was abruptly cancelled amid ongoing Greece-Turkey tensions.
IRNA news agency carried a statement by the Iranian federation, saying the cancellation inflicted ”serious damage” to the Iran national team’s preparations for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The statement says Iran will take ”legal action” through FIFA to force Greece to financially compensate the Iranian players and sport over the cancellation.
The friendly was scheduled for Saturday in Istanbul. IRNA says after Greece pulled out, the Kosovo team was to take its place but that substitute friendly also got cancelled.
The friendlies were supposed to be in preparation for the World Cup.
Team Melli will play Lithuania in Moscow on June 8 in its last World Cup warm-up match.
Iran will start its World Cup campaign against Morocco at Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on June 15.
