Ahmadinejad is Steinbrenner of Iran: Wikileaks

TAMPA, Fla., Mar 4 (AP): George Steinbrenner often compared himself to powerful, iron-fisted leaders. Assuredly, the late New York Yankees owner never had the Iranian president in mind. An American diplomat did, calling Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the "The George Steinbrenner of Iran" in a leaked US cable detailing the president's meddling with his country's national soccer team. Steinbrenner's name showed up among the thousands of State Department documents released by Wikileaks. His son was startled when told by The Associated Press. "I think that's a ridiculous comparison," Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said this week. "Obviously, it was very inappropriate." The confidential cable described how Ahmadinejad tried to use the popularity of Team Melli to improve his standing with the Iranian people ahead of the 2009 elections. The diplomat predicted the team's struggles could affect the president's results at the ballot box. According to the document, Ahmadinejad, a former player, used his position to influence the firing of two coaches in a matter of weeks, an act George Steinbrenner was well versed in.