FM Spokesman Slams UAE Soccer Federation For Distorting PGˈs Name

Tehran, May 28, IRNA – Iran's FM spokesman Abbas Araqchi slammed the act of the United Arab Emirates Soccer Federation for using a forged name for the Persian Gulf to refer to its national football league. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Araqchi said using a distorted name to refer to the UAEˈs football league was against FIFA regulations. According to Araqchi, Iranˈs soccer federation will pursue the case through international organizations. He stressed that using soccer to advance political purposes violated basic rules of FIFA. He regretted the recent remarks made by foreign minister of Saudi Arabia against Iran noting that as two important regional countries, Tehran and Riyadh shared many objectives and interests. Accusing other countries will certainly not improve the situation between both countries, Araqchi stressed. Asked to comment on the recent remarks of the Turkish foreign minister on the alleged attempts of Iran, Syria and Hezbollah to create a Nassiri-Shiite belt, Araqchi said Tehran did not expect the Turkish foreign minister to make such claims./end