2/12, 2006
DPA

A football cartoon printed in a German newspaper has caused anger in Iran even as the world is grappling with the controversy created by publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in Western media.

The new controversial cartoon shows the Iranian national team standing in a World Cup stadium with bombs strapped to their jerseys has caused anger in Iran.

The cartoon, which was printed in the Friday edition of Berlin's Tagesspiegel, also depicts German soldiers standing in the stadium with a caption saying, "Why at the World Cup of all places does the German army have to be on duty?"

The Iranian newspaper 90 has called the cartoon "shameless" and called on the Iranian football federation to lodge an official protest.

"It is now clear that the Germans are under the influence of the Zionists (Israel) and have lowered themselves to become their scarecrows," wrote 90.

Iran have qualified for this summer's World Cup in Germany, which runs June 9 to July 9.