Iran Football Federation (IFF) has submitted a complaint to FIFA against Serbian referee Milorad Mazic, for what it said "the poor officiating" during recent Iran-Argentina match in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Tehran Times daily reported on Tuesday.

Iran lost to Argentina 1-0 in the Group F second round match of the World Cup on Saturday.

According to the report, in the 54th minute, Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta tripped Iran striker Ashkan Dejagah in the box but Mazic denied a penalty to the Iranian team.

"It was a clear penalty. Millions of people saw that. I don't understand it, he had to have seen it was a penalty," Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz was quoted as saying.

"He (Mazic) was five meters away, there is no way he couldn't have seen it. I have the right to say this and I only hope I am now not punished for telling the truth because it was a decision that nobody can understand," the Portuguese added.

Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, IFF General Secretary, said they had sent complaint to FIFA against Mazic, adding that "I think it's not fair. The referee denied our clear penalty."

In Group F, Iran tied Nigeria 0-0 in the first match and lost to Argentina 1-0 in the second one. Iran will play Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.