Iran Striker Sardar Retires From Team at 23 After Online Insults
Moscow, June 28 : Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun has announced his retirement from international football at the age of just 23 citing his mother's health as the main reason.
Azmoun was Iran's top scorer in qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with 11 goals in 14 matches. But the player who has been dubbed the 'Iranian Messi' failed to score as Iran were knocked out of the group stage with a win, a defeat and a draw in their three Group B games, reports Xinhua news agency.
Iran managed to score just two goals (an own goal and a penalty) in the process. His lack of goals saw him become the target of disgruntled fans, which Azmoun says upset his mother so much it affected her health.
"Playing in my national team has been a great honour for me and I will be proud of myself to the end of my days," he said on social media, adding that "unfortunately... I have come to the decision to say goodbye to my national team."
"This is one of the most painful and significant life decisions for a youth of 23, who faced great hardships to get here," added Azmoun.
The striker plays his club football for Russia side Rubin Kazan, although it is thought he has offers to play next season either in England or Spain.
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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
