Iran delays training, injured Zare still in team

NUREMBERG, June 11 (Reuters) Iran delayed their match-day training session today and said injured defender Sattar Zare was still officially in the team despite a ligaments injury that could rule him out of the entire tournament.

''The team will train a little later but they will train,'' a team official told Reuters. He did not give any reasons for the delay of this unusual training session planned only seven hours prior to their match.

He also said Zare, who injured the ligaments in his right knee and had been ruled out of the opener, had not yet been dropped despite launching procedures with FIFA, world soccer's governing body, to replace him.

''He is not yet out of the team. He is still officially in the team,'' the official said.

Coach Branko Ivankovic said Zare was likely to miss the whole tournament after damaging his ligaments during a training session three days ago.

Ivankovic told Reuters on the eve of the game Iran had already contacted FIFA to replace him with Hadi Shakoury in case he could not play.

''We have made the contacts with officials because there is the 24-hour rule and so if Zare cannot play then we are allowed to call up Shakoury,'' the Croat said.

Teams can call up replacements until up to 24 hours before their first game.

A FIFA official told Reuters if Iran had started the procedure even before deciding whether Zare was fit to play and as long as it was within the 24-hour limit, they could bring in a replacement.

Zare was expected to start against Mexico. Midfield man Ferydoon Zandi, another first choice, has already been ruled out.

Iran also face Angola and Portugal in Group D.

REUTERS PDS PM1618