MPs call on Ahmadinejad to fire Branko, football officials

IRNA - The weak performance of the Iranian national Football team at the 2006 World Cup in Germany prompted a number of Iranian MPs to give a written notification to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on dismissal of football officials.

Hopes for Iran's reaching the second round of the World Cup competitions dashed following the 2-0 defeat of the national team against Portugal in Frankfurt on Saturday. In its opener in Group D of the World Cup Iran lost to Mexico 3-1.

Five Majlis deputies issued a notification demanding the president to probe into the reasons behind the team's weak performance in World Cup 2006.

Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel who read the MPs' notification at the open session of the Majlis Sunday, said they have urged president Ahmadinejad to issue a formal order on probe into the case.

The deputies also called for immediate dismissal of Iran's head coach Branko Ivankovic and officials of the football federation for their mismanagement, incapability, indifference toward the public opinion and damaging national pride.

They also backed up their demand by mentioning cases including insistence on wrong policies and ignoring the viewpoints of pundits.

In Saturday match, Iranian players created several spectacular chances for goal, but, failed to convert them. Portugal's two goals were scored by Deco in the 63rd minute and Ronaldo in the 80th minute off a penalty.

Last Sunday, Iran fought back brilliantly in the first half to peg Mexico to 1-1 at the interval in the opening Group D clash.

Iran were the livelier team at the start and came close to scoring in the 12th minute. But in the second half Iran created blunders giving more advantage to the Mexicans.

Mexico capitalized on a big defending blunder in the second half to overcome a struggling Iran 3-1.