Iran, Greece at odds after scrapped friendly

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.

A statement on the federation’s website, first reported by the official IRNA news agency and other media outlets late on Thursday, said the cancellation has inflicted “serious damage” to the Iranian national team’s preparations for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The statement said Iran will take “legal action” through world football governing body FIFA to force Greece to financially compensate the Iranian players and sport over the cancellation.

“Until further FIFA action following this report, the Iranian Football Association ... will suspend its relations with the Greek Football Federation,” the Iranian federation said, adding that it “appreciates all the support, professionalism and commitment” of the Turkish federation.

It also expressed deep regret for what the Iranian statement described as “lack of respect, morality and responsibility” on the part of the Greece federation in the course of recent events.

The friendly was scheduled for today in Istanbul. According to reports, 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. Iran played a warm-up match with Turkey in Istanbul last week.