TEHRAN (WJC)–The head of Iran’s soccer federation was forced to issue a public apology and a member of his staff resigned after the federation mistakenly sent a New Year’s greeting to its counterpart in Israel. “It was a big mistake sending an e-mail to Israel’s football federation,” Ali Kaffashian, president of the Iran Football Federation, said in a statement.
“However, I am sure the director of the foreign relations office did not do it on purpose.”
Kaffashian said Iran’s soccer association routinely sent greeting cards to all members of world football federation FIFA, except for Israel. Iran has refused to meet with Israel in international sports competitions.
Mohammad-Mansour Azimzadeh Ardebili, the head of the league’s foreign relations office, had resigned over the matter, Kaffashian said.
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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress