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Iran have been granted extended time in the United States for their final group match against Egypt on Friday having previously complained about their treatment by the American authorities.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei was heavily critical after the team’s opening match against New Zealand, saying they had been told they could only come to Los Angeles 24 hours before the match from their training camp in Tijuana, Mexico and had to leave straight afterwards.
Ghalenoei said his team were the “most oppressed” at the World Cup.
However, they have now been granted some leeway, with a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirming:
“For the Iranian team’s third match in Seattle on June 26, the team has been permitted to come into the US two days before the match.
“The Iran team will still be required to leave the day the match ends. The overall security measures and protocol are the same. We remain committed to providing the safest tournament possible for players, staff, and fans alike.”
The Iranian football federation rejected what they called a “baseless” allegation from DHS secretary Markwayne Mullin that a member of its staff was barred from boarding a plane to the US before their second game against Belgium because they had “direct ties” to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Eleven officials have been denied visas for the US and have had to remain in Mexico when the team have played.
The team’s participation in the tournament was in doubt after the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran in February, but they have made it and remain well placed to reach the last 32 after draws in their opening two matches.
The Iranian team left a handwritten note thanking fans in Los Angeles for their support in those matches, and expressed a wish for peace to prevail.
Continue reading...
Coach Amir Ghalenoei was heavily critical after the team’s opening match against New Zealand, saying they had been told they could only come to Los Angeles 24 hours before the match from their training camp in Tijuana, Mexico and had to leave straight afterwards.
Ghalenoei said his team were the “most oppressed” at the World Cup.
However, they have now been granted some leeway, with a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirming:
“For the Iranian team’s third match in Seattle on June 26, the team has been permitted to come into the US two days before the match.
“The Iran team will still be required to leave the day the match ends. The overall security measures and protocol are the same. We remain committed to providing the safest tournament possible for players, staff, and fans alike.”
The Iranian football federation rejected what they called a “baseless” allegation from DHS secretary Markwayne Mullin that a member of its staff was barred from boarding a plane to the US before their second game against Belgium because they had “direct ties” to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Eleven officials have been denied visas for the US and have had to remain in Mexico when the team have played.
The team’s participation in the tournament was in doubt after the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran in February, but they have made it and remain well placed to reach the last 32 after draws in their opening two matches.
The Iranian team left a handwritten note thanking fans in Los Angeles for their support in those matches, and expressed a wish for peace to prevail.
Continue reading...
