Iranian soccer players attack 'oppressive' World Cup treatment in USA and claim they have been FORCED to leave.| I watched the game on TV. Iran played better than New Zealand who was constantly tripping them. The game was tied but I considered them better. |
In an extraordinary attack following his team's 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, striker Mehdi Taremi pleaded with FIFA to 'help' resolve the 'unfair' ordeal.
Prior to the tournament kicking off, it had been agreed that Iran would fly in and out of the USA - where all of their group matches are being held - on the days they play.
Since war broke out in February, uncertainty has surrounded Iran's participation in the tournament.
Donald Trump warned the team not to come – for their 'own life and safety', while Iran moved its base from Arizona to Mexico. Nearly a dozen members of its delegation were later denied visas.
After Monday's game against New Zealand, FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the Iranians' dressing room. Just minutes later, head coach Amir Ghalenoei and Taremi suggested the US authorities were forcing them to fly back to their Tijuana base against their wishes.
'Everything is like a disaster actually for us... Still, we have some problems because we are supposed to be training tomorrow morning - recovery - then leave for Tijuana,' the striker said.
'But we have to leave Los Angeles right now, and it's not good for us. It's not good for the football, because in a World Cup, you have to prepare good for the next game, because it is a lot of stress for the players and the staff and everyone. But we don't have that support and I think FIFA have to help us more than this.'
Taremi claimed Iran's players asked Infantino why they were being kicked out. When asked what the FIFA president told them in the dressing room, Taremi added: 'He just wants to help us.
'It's the beginning of the World Cup now, and he will help us... We believe everything he says.'
Teammate Mohammad Mohebi said their treatment was not 'fair' and Ghalenoei echoed his players' feelings, claiming: 'They said we had to leave immediately.
'It's very important for us to have time for recovery and yet we were asked to return to Tijuana and we are really troubled by that... we do not know why they are returning us. I think it's very strange.'
The head coach continued: 'It seems like others are doing the planning for us, decisions made elsewhere, we were supposed [to arrive] two nights before the game and we were not permitted.
'We were supposed to stay tonight and return tomorrow lunchtime but I have no idea why and they haven't told [us]... our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.'
It is understood that Infantino told the squad he would do what he could to ensure that more Iranian officials, who had not received visas, could travel to the USA for their final two group games.
The tension comes as Trump announced this weekend that a deal to end the war with Iran is 'all signed'.
The official signing ceremony is set to be held in Switzerland on Friday.
In a post on Truth Social, the President said, 'The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete.'
'I hereby fully authorize the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,' he added.
Iran's World Cup issues are not the first the country's footballers have faced this year. Three months ago, their women's football team faced controversy after their participation in the Asian Cup, where they refused to sing their country's national anthem ahead of a game with South Korea. The situation escalated into a major diplomatic incident involving street protests and threats from the Islamic Regime, leading Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese to grant several players asylum.
But on Monday, the World Cup squad was praised by FIFA chief Infantino for their participation, declaring it sent 'a strong message to the world'.
He told them: 'You showed to your families, friends, to your people, to the world, that you're in the World Cup, that you perform and you have two more games to go.
'In these two games, you will make again everyone in the world proud of what you do. Thank you for being here,' he said, with his words met by applause.