Iranian international Ali Karimi has turned his back on a big money move to Spain’s Atletico Madrid and joined Al Ahli in the United Arab Emirates.

The 22-year-old signed a two-year contract on Wednesday reported by the Gulf News to be worth US$1.3 million with a signing fee of US$500,000 per year and US$300,000 in salary and accommodation.

The signing brings to an end the long, protracted saga over where the talented Asian Games gold medallist would play next season after his contract with Tehran’s Pirouzi expired following the Asian Club Championship in Korea.

Al Ahli refused to release details to the deal except to say the contract was for two years.

"The only thing I can say is that Karimi's contract period, which is two years, begins from July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2003," said Mohammad Matter, the club’s assistant secretary at a press conference held at the Al Ahli club house.

"Pirouzi were very cooperative in signing Karimi for two years. We have a very good relationship with Pirouzi, which began 22 years ago when we signed Iranian football legend Hasan Roshan, who played also for Pirouzi before."

"I know that Al Ahli is a big name in the UAE football," said Karimi. "I will spare no effort to do my best, with the co-operation of my colleagues, the coach and his technical staff, the club's board and supporters, to achieve great success for the club in the coming years."

Karimi turned down a deal with Atletico Madrid worth US$6 million over five years to sign with the Middle Eastern club and had also attracted interest from Italian club Perugia and SV Hamburg, where compatriot Mehdi Mahdavikia is currently based.

"Any player would like to play in Europe, but for me this stage will come later," said Karimi. "I hope to go there after two years with Ahli."

Iran ranks first in West Asia judo contests

Beirut, June 24, IRNA -- The competitions of West Asia Judo Championships started here on Saturday June 23 and the representative team of Iran, Mashhad Municipality, competing with 8 Asian teams managed to snatch the most coveted medal. In addition to Mashhad Municipality, the teams from Syria, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Yemen, and Lebanon participated in the tournament. Ahmadreza Ahmadi, the 60-kg judoka of Iran, defeated his Lebanese rival while Behrouz Parhizkar representing Iran in the 73-kg category beat the host country's champion. The Iranian judokas Gholam Sazegar and Ali Chamanpa overcame the Kuwaiti sportsmen in the 81-kg and 100-kg competitions. The Syrian team bagging two golds finished runner-up in the Beirut-based competitions while Lebanon stood third with one gold medal and Kuwait snatching two silvers ranked fourth. During the medal-awarding ceremony in the competitions attended by some high-ranking officials of Lebanon and prominent figures of other participating states, the anthem of Islamic Republic of Iran was played four times as the Iranian flag was hoisted at the same time. Referring to the problems the team faced during the Beirut tour, Amir Taqipour, head of the tean, said that the victory helped us forget the problems.

France could not defeat Paraguay Ghana beat Iran and advanced to the round of 16

During the match staged in the José María Minella stadium of Mar del Plata, for Group F, Ghana achieved their second victory in a row and, thus, clinched a berth in the round of 16, after defeating Iran 1-0. In the early matches, France was leading by 2-0 until Paraguay scrambled a 2-2 draw and the game became more than entertaining. Derrick Boateng fashioned a goal, after an impressive individual effort, giving Ghana the win, which places his team on top with six points. Iran was unable to mount any sort of attack against this African team who is becoming one of the favourites of the tournament. Group F   TEAM P W D L GF:GA Pts.   x-Ghana 2 2 0 0 3:1 6   France 2 1 1 0 7:2 4   Paraguay 2 0 1 1 3:4 1   Iran 2 0 0 2 0:6 0 18-06  Mar del Plata  16:45  Iran vs. France 0:5 (0:0) 21-06  Mar del Plata  16:45  Iran vs. Ghana 0:1 (0:1) 24-06  Mar del Plata  16:45  Paraguay vs. Iran