The Iranian Football Federation lodged an official protest with the AFC and the organizing committee of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 against the award of the first yellow card to Mehdi Taremi by the Korean referee, Kim Jong-Hyeok.

Kim gave Taremi his marching order after he received the second yellow card right at the end of the second half, for grabbing a Syrial player.

The FFIRI sent an official letter to the Asian Football Confederation, protesting against the first warning of Taremi and demanding its removal. The dismissal of Taremi means a one-match suspension, hence he will not be available for the match versus Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of AFC Asian Cup 2023.

The chances of the AFC rescinding Taremi’s yellow card are quite slim.