IRAN IS NOT JOKING AS THEY BAN TWO PLAYERS FOR PLAYING AGAINST AN ISRALI TEAM.

Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan Haji Safi have been banned from playing for Iran after they featured against an Israeli team with their club.

In the second leg of a European Qualification tie between Panionios and Tel Aviv, Masoud Shojaer, 33, and Eshan Hahi Safi were lined up with their Greek team risking being punished by their country’s government that forbids any body to play against an Israeli Team of which Tel Aviv was one.

This is as a result of the Iran government refusing to recognize Israel as a county and as barred every Iran athlete from playing against any Israeli team regardless of the nature of the sport.

"It is certain that Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan Haji Safi will never be invited to join the national football team because they violated the red line," Iran deputy sports minister Mohammad Reza Davarzani said on state television, via The New York Times.

"They have a financial contract with a club to be paid and play for that team, but to play with the representative of a loathsome regime… this is not acceptable for Iranian people."

Shojaei was very instrumental in securing a spot for the Iranians in next year’s World Cup competition in Russia. Haji Safi was also expected to join Shojaei in travelling with the Iranian team come next year to Russia.

This is not the first time Shojaei have been ostracized as he went to Iran President to ask if women could enter the stadium to watch them play knowing very well the question was against the law of Iran.

Women have been barred from stadiums in Iran in 1979, since it was deemed as inappropriate for women.