Iran have condemned what they described as “oppressive” and “disastrous” treatment at the World Cup, claiming they are being forced to leave the United States immediately after Monday night’s opening match.
The criticism came after a dramatic 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles, where striker Mehdi Taremi issued an extraordinary appeal to FIFA to step in and address what he called Iran’s “unfair” situation at the tournament.
After months of uncertainty and disruption caused by tensions and conflict involving Iran and the US, Amir Ghalenoei’s side finally began their World Cup campaign at SoFi Stadium on Monday evening.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited Iran’s dressing room after the game, and only minutes later Ghalenoei and Taremi indicated that US authorities were insisting the team return to their base in Tijuana despite their preference to remain in Los Angeles.
“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,” Taremi said.
He added: “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 World Cup, you have to prepare well for the next game. There 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.”
Iran have slammed their ‘oppressive’ and ‘disastrous’ treatment during this World Cup
‘Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup,’ head coach Amir Ghalenoei said
Mohammad Mohebi equalized for Iran in the second half to ensure this game finished 2-2
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.’
It is understood Infantino told the squad that he would do what he could to ensure more Iranian officials, who did not receive visas, could travel to the USA for their final two group games.
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.’
Since war broke out in February, uncertainty has surrounded Iran’s participation at the World Cup. Donald Trump warned them 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 months of uncertainty, Iran’s World Cup opener ended in a draw against New Zealand
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among the crowd at SoFi Stadium on Monday night
Ahead of kickoff at SoFi Stadium, all but one of Iran’s players sang their national anthem
Iran jetted into Los Angeles the afternoon before Monday’s game and Taremi suggested the team faced delays at the US border.
‘We [should] come here two days before the game,’ Mohebi insisted. ‘Yesterday we came, we started the trip in the morning and we arrive in the afternoon.
‘Then we go to the training and we get tired. I think we’re supposed to come here two days before the game. This kind of thing is not a little bit fair. We need to get fair competition.’
Taremi was later asked if he had a message for President Trump. ‘I’m here to play football, my friend,’ he said. ‘We are tired to talk about [the problems].
‘And if they help us, we are much appreciated about that… if no one helps us, it doesn’t matter. We just stay back to back, behind each other and we try our best to win both the next games.’
Iran are due to return to the USA to face Belgium in LA on Sunday before they take on Egypt in Seattle.
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