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Striker will not play in March World Cup warmup games
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Backlash after player based in UAE met Dubai’s ruler
Sardar Azmoun has been omitted from the Iran squad announced for two World Cup warm-ups after Iranian media reports that the striker had been expelled from the national team for a perceived act of disloyalty to the government.
Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals in 91 internationals, was the most notable absentee from a 35-man squad named by the head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, on Friday for friendlies against Nigeria and Costa Rica in the Turkish city of Antalya.
