AFC has 'Plan B' to replace Iran in Asian Cup draw

Asian Football Confederation Assistant General Secretary and Director of Competitions Carlo Nohra said a ‘Plan B’ was in place for the AFC Asian Cup Official Draw in case Iran failed to meet FIFA’s conditions by the fast approaching deadline of 12 December. Nohra’s comments come a day after FIFA chief Joseph Blatter warned Iran that failure to comply with FIFA’s stipulations, which includes setting up of a normalisation committee by next Tuesday, would mean the three-time champions would not be able to take part in the AFC Asian Cup.

“We do have a Plan B which will be communicated to the AFC Competitions Committee for consideration when we reach the 12th,” said Nohra. “But we hope the situation will resolve itself. “As Iran is a traditional power and have qualified, we don’t want our biggest competition the AFC Asian Cup to be without them. We want our best 16 teams in the draw.”