International

     Iran has dropped midfield duo Haji Safi and Masoud Shojaei from the national team after they played against Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv for their Greek club Panionios last week, the sports ministry said Thursday. Deputy Sports Minister Mohammad Reza Davarzani said they could no longer wear the national shirt after they played against the club in the Europa League third qualifying round second leg in Greece.
     “Shojaei and Haji Safi have no place in Iran’s national football team any more because they crossed the country’s red line,” Davarzani told state television.