Asian Cup 2015: Iran protest Iraq defeat over player who reportedly failed a drug test rejected by AFC

IRAQ will play their Asian Cup semi-final with South Korea after the AFC threw out a protest from Iran claiming Iraq had fielded an ineligible player.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Alaa Abdulzehra of Iraq and Andranik Teymourian of Iran contest possession during the 2015 Asian Cup match between Iran and Iraq at Canberra Stadium on January 23, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

IRAQ will play their Asian Cup semi-final with South Korea on Monday night after the Asian Football Confederation threw out a protest from Iran claiming Iraq had fielded an ineligible player.

Iran had claimed Alaa Abdul Zahra should not have been included in the Iraqi side that defeated Iran on penalties on Friday in their Asian Cup quarter-final, citing an alleged failed drugs test by the midfielder last year.

Iran are claiming Iran fielded an ineligible player — Alaa Abdulzehra (17) — in their quarter-final.

Abdul Zahra was playing for Iranian side Tractor Sazi last year, and the Iran Football Association claimed he had returned a positive doping violation. But the player left Tractor Sazi soon after, and is now with Iraqi club Al Shorta.

The AFC’s disciplinary committee struck out the protest on Sunday afternoon, though it noted that Iran retained the right of appeal - potentially opening the door for chaos if that is pursued.

“The AFC Disciplinary Committee from 2:30pm heard oral evidence from two officials of the I.R. Iran Football Federation, deliberated the matter based on its merits, and decided that the protest was unfounded,” the AFC said in a statement.

“The protest was therefore dismissed.

“Due to the urgency of the matter, the terms of the decision were initially notified to the I.R. Iran Football Federation at 6:20pm. The full grounds of the decision will be communicated in due course. The I. R. Iran Football Federation will have the right to file an appeal in accordance with the AFC Disciplinary Code.”

Iarq’s victory capped one of the most memorable games in recent history.

According to the tournament regulations, protests over player eligibility have to be made within five days of the start, though Iran had claimed it had sent several queries to the AFC during the tournament over Abdul Zahra’s status.

The Iranian team had delayed its departure from Australia while waiting for the verdict, after a game that saw them also seething at the performance of Australian referee Ben Williams.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Iran protest Iraq defeat over player who reportedly failed a drug test rejected by AFC