The Ukrainian FA have officially appealed to FIFA to ban Iran from the 2022 World Cup over allegations of supplying weapons to Russia.
Iran are due to compete against England, Wales and the United States in Group B of the tournament, kicking off proceedings versus the Three Lions on November 21.
Carlos Queiroz's side qualified via a first-placed finish in Group A of the AFC Third Round and are set to take part in the World Cup for the third consecutive time after group-stage finishes in 2014 and 2018.
However, it has been alleged that Iran are sending weapons to Russia to use in their invasion of Ukraine, which has prompted a strong response from the UEFA nation.
According to Sky Sports News, the Ukrainian FA have now addressed FIFA to kick Iran out of the 2022 World Cup over the allegations, which would "violate the principles and norms of the FIFA charter".
The governing body also claims that Iran have broken articles three and four of FIFA's statutes, which binds them to fight all forms of discrimination and combat human rights abuses.
© Reuters
A statement from the Ukrainian FA was released to the broadcaster, which also referenced "systematic manifestations" of human rights abuses as protests against the government rage in Iran.
"Taking into account the media information about the systematic manifestations of human rights violations in Iran, which may violate the principles and norms of the FIFA Charter, taking into account the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding the imposition of sanctions on Iran and the alleged involvement of Iran in the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, [we] appeal to FIFA with proposal to consider the issue of excluding the Iranian national team from the 2022 FIFA World Cup," the statement read.
Despite going through qualifying unbeaten, Ukraine had to settle for second place behind reigning world champions France in Group D of qualification after winning two and drawing six of their eight matches.
Ukraine's playoff semi-final with Scotland was postponed until June as a result of the invasion by Russia, which began on February 24, and the Black and Yellows advanced to the final after beating Scotland 3-1.
However, Ukraine lost 1-0 to Wales in the playoff final courtesy of a 34th-minute goal from Gareth Bale and thus saw their hopes of qualifying for Qatar come to an end.
Ukraine have now failed to qualify for the World Cup four times in a row, and their only appearance at the tournament as an independent nation came in 2006, where they reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by eventual winners Italy.
Ben Knapton
