Our World Cup host 'is Fifa, not Trump or America' - Iran
Iran's football chief says their World Cup host "is FIFA, not Mr Trump or America."
Uncertainty remains over Iran's participation in the World Cup because of the war with the US and Israel. Iranian FA (FFIRI) chief Mehdi Taj was part of a delegation that turned back at the Canadian border before last week's FIFA Congress in Vancouver. Taj's visa had been cancelled while he was in the air because of his links to the IRGC. The IRGC is listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada and the US. FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom wrote to express regret and has invited FFIRI to Zurich for a meeting about their World Cup preparations on 20 May. The US, Canada and Mexico will co-host the World Cup between 11 June and 19 July. Iran are scheduled to play two games in Los Angeles, against New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June, and then Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that no one with ties to the IRGC would be admitted to the country. The US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran in February. Iran was the only FIFA federation among the 211 member countries that did not have representation at the FIFA congress in Vancouver.
Mehdi Taj told state broadcaster the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Tuesday that he would seek assurances from the governing body about the treatment of Iranian officials at the World Cup. Taj said, "We need a guarantee there, for our trip, that they have no right to insult the symbols of our system - especially the IRGC." Taj also said, "If they accept hosting us, then they
Quick Summary
Tensions are rising as Iran prepares for the World Cup, with concerns over potential disrespect towards the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Iranian FA chief seeks assurances from FIFA regarding the treatment of Iranian officials - but what could happen if those guarantees aren't met?
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