A senior FIFA council member has spoken out against the treatment of Iran at this summer's World Cup. The team's preparations for the tournament have been severely disrupted by tensions with the United States, with the squad forced to move their training base to Mexico. Several backroom staff have also been refused visas, with other nations encountering comparable difficulties.
Travel restrictions have prevented supporters from countries including Senegal and the Ivory Coast from attending, while Somali referee Omar Artan was also denied entry to the country. Despite these considerable setbacks, Iran still managed to begin their World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand.
FIFA Council Member Speaks Out
Speaking anonymously, a FIFA council member told The Observer: "How can Iran be expected to compete under the conditions they have been given, in which they have to come from Mexico and have to leave the United States within hours of playing every match?"
"Every team is supposed to compete under the same conditions. How can they prepare properly for the matches they have to play? This is not fair at all. There is no doubt about that."
The council member went on to add: "This situation is not acceptable. We need to be stronger about these issues. But I understand the political environment in which this World Cup is being organised, which makes things very difficult to manage. It is very difficult to speak openly about these issues."
Iran Coach and Player Express Frustration
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed his frustration at being forced to depart immediately after his side's draw on Tuesday. He said: "After the game, they said to us: 'You have to leave immediately', whereas it's very important for us to have recovery."
"They are making the situation more and more difficult... We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game, but they didn't permit. Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup. Our federation is not here, our media is not here, our management isn't here."
Iran forward Mehdi Taremi was equally dismayed by the situation. He said: "FIFA told us you have to go because it's our preparation. It's supposed to be, as I said, tomorrow morning recovery, then we fly to Tijuana, then return to LA again."
"But now, right now, we have to go back, and I don't know who, because it's between the federation and FIFA. And also we don't have that, because we don't have our media, we don't have our president of federation, we don't have vice president, and no one, some staff also, which is so important for us. It doesn't have any communication with the FIFA and for the players."
"As you see, our analyser, for example, have come here doing the job of the media, and you know, everything is a disaster, actually, for us. It's not the right thing for us, but we don't follow the excuse, we're just looking forward, we're having hope for the next two games, and we will do our best for our people, and we bring the joy for our supporters."
