Two Iranian footballers are facing a possible ban from their national team after playing in a match for their Greek club against an Israeli side.

Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan Hajsafi both played for Panionios against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the second leg of a third round Europa League qualifier last week. The two Iranians did not travel to Israel for the first leg.

In a report from Iran’s Fars news agency, the country’s football federation “strongly condemned” the decision by the two footballers to take part in the match. Both players have previously been regulars in the Iranian national squad. The federation said it would make a final decision about banning the two from representing their country after speaking to both players.

Iran, which does not recognise Israel, has a ban on its athletes competing directly against Israel’s. During last year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, an Iranian judo competitor withdrew from the games, with many believing he did so in order to avoid facing an Israeli in the next round.

In the meantime, the Israeli foreign ministry used its Persian-language Twitter account to praise the two footballers for “breaking the taboo against playing Israeli athletes”.

Ehsan Hajsafi received a yellow card during the match, while Masoud Shojaei was observed crying at the final whistle. It is not apparent as to whether this was due to the score – Panionios lost 1-0 to Maccabi Tel Aviv and 2-0 on aggregate – or whether it was down to the pressure he was under with regards to the game.