Iran to file an official FIFA complaint over 'inconsistent' World Cup treatment
Iran will submit a formal complaint to FIFA regarding the “inconsistent” treatment it claims to have endured in comparison with other nations at the World Cup, with the national squad receiving only restricted access in the United States.
Multiple controversies have emerged in the buildup to the World Cup, but Iran’s involvement and their treatment have been central to the turmoil. Several members of the Iranian staff were refused visas to enter the U.S., and the squad was compelled to move its base to Mexico from Arizona.
A FIFA council member has already criticized the handling of Iran, intensifying pressure on President Gianni Infantino. Now, Iran has confirmed it will submit a formal complaint, as per The Mirror US.
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The complicated situation involving Iran originates from the continuing tensions with the U.S. and Israel, but it has resulted in warnings ahead of the World Cup. U.S. President Donald Trump even cautioned against the Iranian national squad from competing.
Following visa difficulties and relocating their base camp south of the border, the Iranian national squad must now travel one day prior to World Cup fixtures in the U.S., and leave on the same day. Due to this, Iran has claimed unjust treatment.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei stated they are the “most oppressed” squad at the tournament following a 2-2 tie against New Zealand in the opening fixture. The Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) has now opted to file a formal complaint.
The FFIRI released a statement declaring that the restrictions they face are “inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and may negatively affect teams’ preparation processes.”
The statement continued, “Consequently, the federation will formally express its dissatisfaction and lodge an official complaint with FIFA through the appropriate channels.”
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Following the opening 2-2 draw, Infantino paid a visit to the Iranian locker room in Los Angeles.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, however, has stood behind the current restrictions, claiming that Iran had agreed to the conditions set out ahead of the World Cup. “The Iranian national football team agreed to these terms,” a DHS spokesperson told the BBC.
“The team will be allowed to come in, match day minus one, so the day before the match. They’ll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match. And they’ll be able to do that again in Los Angeles, and they’ll be able to do it again in Seattle, and then if they qualify for the next round, for the Round of 32, they’ll be able to do that again.”
Iran is scheduled to take on Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 before rounding out the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on June 27. The Iranian federation is pushing for additional preparation time to give the squad a competitive edge, rather than contending with a grueling travel schedule.
Iran stated that the team “needed to arrive in each host city two days before every match and return to its base camp the day after the game in order to achieve optimal technical and physical preparation.” That request was rejected ahead of their game against New Zealand, and the situation remains unchanged.
The FFIRI stated: “The same situation has now been repeated ahead of Iran’s second match against Belgium. Given that the game will be played at 12:00 p.m. local time in Los Angeles, the Football Federation of Iran requested that the team be allowed to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match.
“The aim was to provide sufficient time for players to adapt to the match conditions, complete their final training session, and finalize preparations. Despite the technical reasons presented by the federation, the request was once again denied.”
