Iran's President Considers Following Team in Germany

The Iranian Football Federation said Thursday that the country's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, could attend this summmer's World Cup finals in Germany along with 4,000 Iranian fans.

"It is possible because our president loves football," said Mohammad Ali Dadkan, president of the Iranian Football Federation. "He often watches the national team's matches."

Ahmadinejad sparked worldwide controversy when he suggested the Holocaust was a myth, prompting calls from several leading German politicians for the Islamic republic to be banned from the finals.

Ali Dadkan, who was visiting the Nuremberg stadium where Iran will play their opening match against Mexico on June 11, said fears of terrorist attacks or political demonstrations due to Iran's participation at the World Cup were way off the mark.

"I cannot see the danger of terrorist attacks or political riots," said Dadkan. "The Iranians who come will all be peaceful football fans."

Dadkan revealed 10 percent of the 8,413 World Cup tickets allocated to Iran had been sold but said he expected around 4,000 supporters for the Mexico match.

"We expect people from various parts of the world to come to the game," he added.

Iran have further Group D matches against Portugal and Angola.