Iran’s international friendly match against Sierra Leone in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on Saturday is in severe doubt, an official of the Iran Football Federation said.

The Iranian federation has communicated with Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) acting president Brima Mazola Kamara to hold the friendly and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) doesn’t recognize him as the president of SLFA.  

FIFA has overturned a decision by SLFA to set aside Isha Johansen from her role as president, ruling it 'invalid'.

In October, the SLFA Executive Committee ruled that both Johansen and her general secretary, Chris Kamara, should be removed during a trial brought by the country's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The Iranian football federation has requested FIFA to allow Team Melli play the African team because the federation has paid Sierra Leone’s transportation costs.

Saturday's clash will be Team Melli first 2018 World Cup warm-up friendly encounter and the first time they face the West Africa side in an international match.

Reporting by Masoud Hossein