Iran's soccer federation has excluded captain Masoud Shojaei from the soccer World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Syria, but denies it is punishment for playing against an Israeli club, AFP reported Sunday.
Shojaei and his compatriot Ehsan Haji Safi were criticized earlier this month when they turned out for their Greek side Panionios in an August 3 home Europa League qualifier against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
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