TEHRAN, Nov 25: Iran's football federation (IRIFF) said the sport's world ruling body FIFA had suspended Iran on false information and defended its “independence”, the state news agency IRNA reported Saturday.

On Thursday, FIFA suspended Iran from all international football activity because of government interference in running the game and non-adherence to their statutes.

“By sending false information and continued lobbying, opportunists had a decision made about the country's football which is favored by enemies,” IRIFF said in a statement.

“We insist on the federation's determination and independence in decision (making) to defend our country's football rights,” it said, while adding “the federation will do its best to negotiate to clear the accusations and obtain the country's football rights.”

The federation said it was “correcting its statute” as demanded by FIFA, but warned it could challenge the world body's decision.

“We see it as our right to refer to a sports arbitrary body, which is approved by FIFA,” the statement said.—AFP