Esteghlal appeal dismissed

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal filed by Iran Pro League club 'Esteghlal Tehran FC' against their disqualification from the AFC Champions League, ruling that the club "has not even made a plausible case."

Esteghlal were expelled from the AFC Champions League on February 16 for failing to submit their preliminary player registration forms by the February 11, 2007, deadline, and the AFC Executive Committee upheld the disqualification on February 26.

The Lausanne-based CAS in its judgment said, "Prima facie and at this stage, the appellant has not demonstrated that the registration forms in question were lodged, neither by fax, nor per post, in due time, namely on or before 11 February 2007."

It added, "The application by Esteghlal FC for interim measures, relating to the decision passed on February 16 2007 by the Asian Football Confederation, whereby Esteghlal FC has been disqualified from participating in the AFC Champions League 2007, is dismissed."