Iran Given Time By FIFA

GOAL - FIFA President Sepp Blatter has given the Iranian authorities until December 5 to comply with FIFA’s ‘road map’ for change or the international ban, which has been temporarily lifted, will be reapplied.

The world governing body last week announced that Iran was banned from all international activities citing political interference in the running of the game.

After frantic negotiations, FIFA has allowed the Persians to participate in the Asian Games starting this week.

"The ban has been provisionally lifted. The team can participate in the Asian Games," Blatter said.

"We have agreed with Iran a route that needs to be respected. We have given them until December 5 to do so," he continued.

"In the meantime, together with the Asian Football Confederation, we have agreed to make sure they can participate in the Asian Games.

"If they fully agree to our roadmap to a normalization of the situation, then we will lift the ban altogether.

"If the promises are not applied, then the ban will remain effective and it will affect the Asian Cup draw (on December 19).

Iranian football boss Dariush Mostafavi told Iranian news agency ISNA that the IFF will meet FIFA’s demands.

"We have informed FIFA that we will adhere to all of their requests," he said. "We plan to announce our commitment to FIFA and finalize the agreement to bring an end to the suspension of the national team."