Iran's Masoud Shojaei listens to the national anthem before their friendly soccer match against Montenegro in Hartberg May 26, 2014. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader
(Reuters) - Masoud Shojaei has been left out of coach Carlos Queiroz's squad for Iran's final World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Syria after playing against an Israeli club.
Shojaei and his Iran team mate Ehsan Hajsafi played for Greek side Panionios against Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv in a Europa League qualifier earlier this month, prompting Iran's deputy sports minister to declare the pair were banned from the national side.
