Stories surrounding the refusal of Iranian athletes to play against Israeli athletes are not new, but there are those who have caused a stir on the subject more than once during their careers.
Feyenoord's Iranian striker, Alirza Jahanabash, is in doubt for the Dutch meeting against Maccabi Haifa next week in the 1st round of the Conference League.
According to reports in the Netherlands, Jahanbachash receives particularly aggressive messages from his homeland so that he does not come to play in the Holy Land and may give up the Dutch luxury club's game against the trophy holder, just because of political matters.
If that does happen, it will not be the first time this has happened after Jahanabash refused to join Alkmaar for the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the home stage of the Europa League in the 2016/17 season.
John Van Dan Brom, who coached the striker during the period he avoided the meeting with Maccabi Tel Aviv, told the media in the Netherlands today: "It was clear that we had to make the sensible decision and allow him to fly with the team to Israel.
If he traveled to Israel, it could have consequences for him and his family, so the sport became secondary. "
'Alireza Jahanbakhsh does not take part in away match against Maccabi Haifa' #Feyenoord https://t.co/0glT9lc4Ai
- FR-Fans.nl (@FRFansNL) September 9, 2021
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