Greater and Lesser Tunbs
In 2010, relations between Iran and the United Arab Emirates took a turn for the worse when the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran sent a letter to the Asian Football Confederation complaining about the misuse of the "Persian Gulf" name. "The move was made after the UAE misrepresented the name "Persian Gulf" during a match between Iran's Sepahan and the UAE's Al Ain. The Emirate television displayed various banners showing a fictitious name for the Persian Gulf during the match between Iran's Sepahan and the UAE's Al Ain. The AFC must take serious measures to deal with UAE actions of the sort", Taj said. "The UAE side must be fined for showing a fictitious name for the Persian Gulf during the live broadcast of the match." In addition to comments from the UAE comparing the three disputed islands (Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, held by Iran) to the occupation of Palestine, calls were made to downgrade ties. This also comes after the Islamic Solidarity Games, to be held in Iran, were canceled over the dispute of the "Persian Gulf" label.