Iran denies punishing ´green´ players

The head of Iran’s football federation has denied punishing players for wearing green wristbands in a show of support of the opposition during a World Cup qualifier, according to local media.

“The comments in foreign media are nothing but lies and a mischievous act,” Ali Kafashin was quoted as saying. “The federation has not banned any player from the national team.”

Football’s world governing body FIFA wrote to the Iranians to seek answers over alleged punishments meted out to players who wore green wristbands during the 2010 World Cup qualifier against South Korea last week, reflecting their support for opposition presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.