TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian media reports say one of the country's sports officials has resigned after his e-mailed New Year's greetings to members of world soccer's governing body were mistakenly forwarded to Israel's soccer federation.

The reports by several newspapers said Sunday that Mohammad Mansour Azimzadeh Ardebili sent the e-mail through the sport's governing body, FIFA. It was supposed to go to all FIFA members except Israel, but was apparently forwarded to Israel's soccer federation, too.

Ardebili was a spokesman for Iran's soccer federation.

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Since Iran's Islamic rulers came to power in 1979, the country has not recognized Israel. Iranian athletes avoid playing Israeli competitors in international matches.

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