Iranian press lament 'unjust' referee decision

Tehran, June 23 (IANS) Iranian press praised their football team's performance in the FIFA World Cup match against Argentina but expressed their dissatisfaction about the "unjust" referee who ignored a penalty appeal for Iran.

Iran's media believed Serbian referee Milorad Mazic did not give a penalty which if awarded could have been changed the Group F encounter's result, reports Xinhua.

Iran defended bravely against Argentina during the entire game except for a deadly strike from Lionel Messi in injury time.

Iran local newspaper Jam-e-Jam headlined, "Argentina + the referee 1, Iran 0," while covering the news, and published a photo of Iranian forward Ashkan Dejagah blocked down in the box by Argentine defender Pablo Zabaleta.

The Quds paper said, "Argentina won because of the referee", while the government-run Iran daily lamented "Iranian stars: victims of injustice."

Though defeated, Iran still satisfied Tehran football fans that went on streets and celebrated the great show which the 7 Sobh daily called "the most beautiful display of Iran's football history."