Soccer: Blazevic threatens suicide if Ireland win

Iranian manager Miroslav Blazevic, who said he would hang himself if his team failed to beat the United Arab Emirates in the Asian play-off, has said the threat still stands for the World Cup play-off against Ireland this month.

"It is still the same. If we fail now, I will hang myself from the crossbar on the pitch," he said.

"I know and respect Ireland because there has been many years of friendship between this country and me, so I hope you will all grieve for me if it happens."

Iran arrived in Dublin last night ahead of the first leg of the play-off in Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

The second leg will take place in Tehran next Thursday, with the winner progressing to the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

Blazevic has admitted that Ireland are the favourites to win qualification, but, referring to Iran’s fanatical football supporters, he said: "I can’t let them down."