Iran's soccer federation said Friday it has been told it will not be hosting any international matches on Iranian soil.

The federation said it received a letter from the Asian Football Confederation saying that all matches involving Iranian teams will be held in a third country.

The Iranians did not say if any reason was given or if the decision is related to the accidental shoot down of a Ukrainian jetliner last week, which killed all 176 people on board.

The AFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Iran is fully ready to host various teams as it has repeatedly proven during the past several years," Amirmahdi Alavi, a spokesman for the Iranian federation, was quoted as saying by the semi-official Mehr news agency.

He pointed to Iran's hosting of the 2018 AFC Champions League final at Azadi Stadium in the capital, Tehran, as an example. He also said the Sports Ministry has provided the required security guarantees to the AFC.

Iran's federation, which has four teams in the AFC Champions League, said it would meet with AFC officials to express its opposition to the decision.

Last season the Iranian teams played Saudi teams in the United Arab Emirates. the Saudi teams did not travel to Iran because the two countries severed diplomatic relations in 2016.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard accidentally shot the Ukrainian flight down on Jan. 8 as it was expecting a counterattack after firing several missiles at U.S. troops in Iraq. The missile attack was retaliation for the killing of Iran's top general in a U.S. airstrike.

Iranian officials initially blamed the crash on a technical problem and only admitted responsibility three days later, after Western leaders said there was mounting evidence the plane was brought down by a surface-to-air missile.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has announced that former Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar will be coming to Dhaka on Wednesday.

He will pay a courtesy visit for the ongoing six-team Bangabandhu International Gold Cup Football Tournament 2020.

Cesar is scheduled to watch the second semifinal of the meet on January 23 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here.

BFF President Kazi Md Salahuddin made the announcement at a press conference at BFF house in Motijheel on Friday.

Forty-year-old Cesar played 87 international matches for Brazil from 2004 to 2014. He was selected for three FIFA World Cups in 2006, 2010, 2014 and two Copa America in 2004 and 2011.

Besides, he was also the member of Italian club Inter Milan, which clinched the UEFA Champions League 2009-10 and the FIFA Club World Cup 2010 titles.  

Cesar also won Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year title in both 2009 and 2010 and won the Golden Glove award in the Confederations Cup 2013.

Tournament’s top seed and holders Palestine reached the semifinal of the ongoing six-team Bangabandhu International Gold Cup Football Tournament 2020 with all-win record.

Late goals from captain cum midfielder Mahmoud Abuwarda and forward Khaled Salem helped Palestine to rout Sri Lanka by 2-0 goals in their thrilling last group match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Friday.

Both Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh conceded 0-2 goals defeat against Palestine. To confirm their spot in the semifinals, Bangladesh now have to beat Sri Lanka in their second and last group match on Sunday at the same venue.

In the day’s match, Palestine put pressure on the Sri Lanka with their attacking football. But Sri Lankan defenders and goalkeeper Herath Arunasiri ruined all of their attempts initially.

Arunasiri smartly denied several close-range shots from Palestine midfielders Mohamed Darwish, Dawoud Iraqi and forwards Mosab Abusalem, Reebal Dahamshi throughout the game.

Palestine finally got the relief while captain Mahmoud Abuwarda sent the ball home with an eye-catching header from a cross of midfielder Sameh Maraaba in the stoppage time (92nd minute) (1-0).

Sri Lanka, who had been maintaining a compact defensive approach from the beginning, came alive after conceding goal and took a chance to level the margin.

But Palestine forward Khaled Salem doubled the margin with a grounder shot, off a through pass by midfielder Dawoud Iraqi from a cleaver counter-attack just few seconds before the final whistle (95th minute) (2-0).

Palestine defender Thaer Jaboor got a yellow card.

Bashundhara Kings beat Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA) by 6-1 goals in a friendly football match at Bashundhara Sports Arena here on Friday.

Kings President cum team’s captain Imrul Hasan and physical trainer Javier Sanchez scored two goals each while Kings General Secretary Minhajul Islam Minhaz and Mainul Islam netted one each. On the other hand, BSPA captain Sadman Shakib scored the lone goal for his side.

Kings’ Spanish Head Coach Oscar Bruzon, Technical Director BA Jobayer Nipu and local three assistant coaches also took part in the game for Kings while country’s prominent sports journalist played for the BSPA.

The Champions of Bangladesh Premier League and Federation Cup Bashundhara Kings arranged the match and other fun-filled activities including raffle draw and prize giving ceremony.

BSPA captain Shakib clinched the first prize of raffle draw. Shakib and Javier Sanchez were announced as the best player of their respective teams. BSPA Goalkeeper Kazi Sabir adjudged the best goalkeeper.

BSPA President Mostofa Mamun and General Secretary Sudipta Ananda handed over the crests to Kings President Imrul and Head Coach Bruzon.

Besides, BSPA Vice-President Parag Arman, Sheikh Saifu Rahman, former General Secretaries Sanat Babla, Rezowan Uz Zaman Rajib and members were  also present there.

Paulo Dybala scored twice as Juventus beat Udinese 4-0 on Wednesday to reach the Italian Cup quarterfinals.

Juventus, which has won the trophy a record 13 times — including four of the past five editions, will face either Roma or Parma.

The Bianconeri made a number of changes with Cristiano Ronaldo out with illness and Merih Demiral injured.

Dybala and Gonzalo Higuaín combined for the opening goal in the 16th minute, exchanging a series of passes before Higuaín finished it off.

Dybala got on the scoresheet himself 10 minutes later with a powerful penalty after Udinese goalkeeper Nicolas had tripped Federico Bernardeschi.

Higuaín thought he had doubled his tally early in the second half but it was ruled out for offside after a video review.

Instead it was Dybala who got his second minutes later with a shot into the top left corner.

Douglas Costa converted another penalty in the 61st following a handball from Udinese defender Bram Nuytinck.