The decision comes from the Asian Football Association, which in a letter to the national federation does not state any specific reason. Representatives of Iranian football have reacted to the message with surprise.
"Iran has readiness to receive teams from other countries, something we have shown several times in recent years," the Iranian Football Association writes on its website.
A total of four Iranian clubs (Persepolis, Esteghlal, Sepahan and Shahr Kodro) participate in the Asian Champions League and all were called after the AFC message for a crisis meeting. The national federation announces that the results of that meeting will be presented within the next few days.