The Iranian FA had argued that the player was ineligible to participate in the match after he apparently failed a doping test while playing for Iranian club Tractor Sazi in September.
As there are no WADA-standard facilities in Iran the test was processed in Cologne, Germany where the ‘A’ test returned a positive result for Methylhexanamine.
The Iranian doping agency (NADO) and FIFA were notified of the result but The World Game understands that no ‘B’ test was conducted and that Abdul Zahra was not notified of the positive result.
Shortly afterwards the player left the club and moved to Iraqi side Al Shorta.
It’s understood that FIFA requested further information from the IFA on multiple occasions but no correspondence was forthcoming.
Then, on 21 January NADO sent an urgent email to FIFA requesting an update which was when the AFC’s Disciplinary Committee took over the case.
After a lengthy meeting in Sydney on Sunday afternoon, the appeal was dismissed and it’s believed this was largely based on procedural matters, including the absence of a ‘B’ test and the lack of communication with the player.
Iran is free to file an appeal but in the short-term Iraq will now definitely take its place in Monday’s semi-final with Korea Republic in Sydney.
"The AFC Disciplinary Committee met on 25 January 2015 following a protest lodged by [the] Iran Football Federation on 23 January 2015 regarding the eligibility of Iraqi player, Alaa Abdul Zahrah Khashen Al-Azzawi, to participate in the quarter-final match between Iran and Iraq on 23 January 2015," read a statement posted on the official website of the Australian national football team.
"The AFC Disciplinary Committee heard oral evidence from two officials of the Iran Football Federation, deliberated the matter based on its merits, and decided that the protest was unfounded.
"The protest was therefore dismissed. The Iran Football Federation will have the right to file an appeal in accordance with the AFC Disciplinary Code."
