The UAE football association are considering a formal complaint to FIFA, after their entire press corps were denied entry visas by the Iranian ministry of information. The ruling raises serious implications for the Irish media, ahead of the potential second leg in Tehran on November 15th.
The FAI can expect anything up to 50 media personnel to follow the Irish team to Tehran. Team travel agent, Ray Treacy, is already making plans to bring the Irish media with the team, to Tehran, if Iran win the Asian play-offs.
In a match that Iran dominated, the UAE limited the home side to a solitary goal. Former Charlton striker, Karim Bagheri, gave them the Iranians the slenderest of leads.
Filed by John Raftery