IRAN: WE'RE NOT GOING

Sports minister says national side will not play in World Cup

- BY FELIX KEITH

NOT HAPPENING Iranian Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh and Co savour qualification but aren't set to play in US

IRAN say they will not play at the World Cup this summer in light of the war with Israel and the USA.

The Iranians were drawn in Group G with New Zealand, Egypt and Belgium and are due to play group games in Los Angeles plus Seattle this June.

However, speculation over Iran's participation has continued to mount and now the country's sports minister has gone public to say they plan to boycott the finals.

In a television interview, Ahmad Donyamal said: "Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup.