Iranian footballers playing outside their home country should include clauses in their contracts which prevent them playing against Israeli clubs, the country's foreign ministry said Monday.
The IRNA news agency quoted spokesman Bahram Ghassemi giving the advice after Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan Hajsafi of Greek club Panionios were threatened with national team bans for playing against Israel side Maccabi Tel-Aviv in a Europa League qualifier last week.
Both the sports ministry and the Iranian football association (FFI) have criticized Shojaei and Hajsafi for playing but have not yet decided on consequences.
Iranian athletes normally avoid competing against Israelis given the hostility between their respective nations.
The fact Shojaei captains his country and Hajsafi is also considered a key player could save their spots in the national squad with the team already qualified for the World Cup in Russia next year.
Fans have taken to Twitter with the hashtag 'football is not political' to defend the duo.
