Iran’s Jahanbakhsh Not Allowed to Compete at AFC U-23 Championship
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – AZ Alkmaar winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh will not be able to take part at the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship.
The Olympics isn’t recognized on the FIFA calendar so clubs are not required to release their players.
Iran U-23 coach Mohammad Khakpour called his former teammate Earnie Stewart, who is currently the Director of Football Affairs at Dutch Eredivisie club AZ, but could not convince the club to release Jahanbakhsh.
Also, Rostov striker Sardar Azmoun is not permitted to leave the Russian club.
Iran has been drawn in Group A of the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship, which will be held in Doha, Qatar from January 12 to 30.
The team will open the event with a match against Syria. Host Qatar and China are in the group as well.
The tournament will serve as the 2016 Olympic qualifier.
