Iran denounced, Saturday June 6, “discriminatory treatment” after the refusal by the United States to issue visas to members of the national team management for the Football World Cup, in a context of resumption of hostilities in the Gulf.
The controversy arises as the players must take off in the afternoon for Tijuana, a few days before the start, on June 11, of the competition co-organized by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“Why don’t you say that visas have been refused to many of the management and supervisory staff, technical advisors and others who are an integral part of the national team? », wrote on the social network
She thus responded to a statement the day before from the American ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, announcing that the Iranian team had obtained their visas, the selection having to play its first match in the competition on June 15 in Los Angeles.
15 members of the administrative and management team concerned
Tom Barrack praised the work of the embassy in processing the requests of the team, which has been on a preparation course in the seaside resort of Antalya, in southern Turkey since May 18.
But according to Iranian state television, “15 members of the administrative and management team are facing problems.” Among them, the president of the federation Mehdi Taj, according to several media in Tehran.
“Team Melli” is due to take off on Saturday for Mexico, where its base camp is located. The flight is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. GMT), Iranian television said.
Iran was one of the first countries to qualify for the World Cup but its participation was called into question after the launch of Israeli-American strikes on the country on February 28.
Hostilities were interrupted by a ceasefire on April 8, which appears to be rapidly disintegrating after weeks of threats and a resumption, in recent days, of both American and Iranian strikes in the Gulf.
New American bombings
A few hours after confirming the granting of visas to Iranian footballers, the United States announced new bombings against Iran, which responded by targeting Gulf countries.
Uncertainties over obtaining visas forced the team to move its base camp from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico.
The team will be based in the northwest border town for the duration of the tournament, but its three group stage matches are scheduled in the United States.
Iran must play its first match of the World Cup, on June 15, against New Zealand in Los Angeles before facing Belgium (on the 21st in Los Angeles) and Egypt (on the 26th in Seattle).
Before their departure on Saturday, the Iranian players played a final preparation match on Thursday against Mali in Antalya, which the Middle Eastern country won 2-0. The team first played on May 29, beating Gambia 3-1.
