Iran players and staff have slammed their treatment at the World Cup in the United States after being ordered to leave the country 'immediately' following their 2-2 draw with New Zealand. Iranian head coach Amir Ghalenoei revealed his team had no time to recover after a thrilling encounter at the Los Angeles Stadium, claiming they were being forced to return to their training base in Mexico amid ongoing political tension.
Political Tensions and Visa Issues
There were serious doubts about the team's eligibility to play at the tournament, due to the ongoing war with Donald Trump's United States. The US president had even warned that it would not be safe for the players to head to the tournament this summer, with Iran forced to relocate their training base from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico on the eve of the World Cup.
11 members of their travelling party were denied visas to enter the U.S and as part of the agreement for them to play in the tournament, have just a few hours after the final whistle in their games to leave the country.
Coach's Frustration
"They didn't even give us time to recover," Ghalenoei said through an interpreter after the draw with New Zealand. "After the game today, they said to us, 'You have to leave immediately.' It's very important for us to have time for recovery, but we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that. They delayed our arrivals, and they are forcing us to go back early without time for recovery."
"They are making the situation more and more difficult, facing us with more hurdles, but we're not going to let that stop us from doing our best. That's why I think we are the most oppressed team in the World Cup."
Player's Perspective
It was a sentiment shared by Iran striker Mehdi Taremi who slammed the treatment of his nation at the tournament. 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."
When asked further about who told Iran they had to leave the country, Taremi claimed that it was before the match, though he did not know who specifically told them they must leave immediately. He called the situation as a "disaster," revealing that FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the team at Los Angeles Stadium and, from the star's perspective, explained he boss was trying to "help" them.
"But it's about other things, too," he continued. "You know, everyone knows it. It doesn't need to mention that because, you know, where we are."
