Iran football great Daei seriously hurt in car crash

Asian football chiefs have offered their "thoughts and prayers" after Iranian football great Ali Daei was reported to have been involved in a serious car accident.According to reports early Sunday, former Iran captain Daei, who played for Bayern Munich in Germany's Bundesliga, was "critically injured in a car accident while returning to Tehran from Isfahan".The PressTV.com report said the crash occurred Saturday night when Daei, manager of Iranian club Rah Ahan, was travelling in a car with his brother and a club coach.Doctors in hospital in Kashan said Daei was "in a stable condition" after undergoing surgery for head injuries and would remain in the intensive care unit.The report cited police who said the cause of the accident was excessive speed.A statement from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said: "The AFC wishes Iranian legend Ali Daei, who was involved in a car accident on Saturday, a speedy and full recovery."We stand ready to assist Daei, who is a true icon of Asian football. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family in this difficult time."The 42-year-old Daei is credited with being the world's top goal scorer in international matches. He scored 109 goals in 149 international games.

Source: AFP