FIFA suspends Iran from international soccer

FIFA suspended Iran from international soccer Thursday because of government interference. FIFA said Iran's soccer federation was "not adhering to the principles of the FIFA Statutes regarding the independence of member associations, the independence of the decision-making process of the football governing body in each country and the way in which changes in the leadership of associations are brought about." The decision was made Wednesday at a meeting of FIFA's emergency council. The governing body of world soccer doesn't allow political interference in the affairs of national federations. FIFA said it had given Iran a Nov. 15 deadline to reinstate its elected president, Mohammed Dadgan, and come into compliance with FIFA statutes. "This deadline was not met," FIFA said.