Dejagah future in doubt

Wolfsburg midfielder feared Israel repercussions

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 10th October 2007

Dejagah future in doubt

Dejagah: Refused to play

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Ashkan Dejagah's future as a Germany international is in doubt after he refused to play in Israel.

The Iranian-born Wolfsburg midfielder pulled out of an Under 21 match in Tel Aviv last Friday, saying he feared for the safety of relatives in Iran if he played in Israel.

The German Football Federation (DFB) has said his 'personal reasons' for not making the trip were acceptable, but the leading Jewish organisation in Germany has called for Dejagah to be dropped from the Under 21 squad.

The Central Council of Jews in Germany have taken this stance because Iran does not recognise Israel's right to exist.

DFB president Theo Zwanziger has now made it clear to Dejagah that he had responsibilities if he wanted to continue to play for Germany.

Responsibility

"I will make it a little harder for him and try to impress on him the sense of responsibility that a German national player must show," Zwanziger said in Die Welt newspaper.

Zwanziger added that the outcome of a discussion with Dejagah could determine whether he ever plays for Germany again.

Germany coach Joachim Low has also voiced his disappointment with Dejagah's decision not to play in Israel.

Low said: "I know the political problems. Basically I hoped and expected that for sporting reasons, a German Under 21 player would have made a different decision.

"I have to be quite clear on that point."

Dejagah holds both an Iranian and German passport and still has the right to switch allegiance and play for the country of his birth at senior level.