A Iran Football Federation is accusing the USA of adopting “vindictive behavior” towards deny visas for members of the administrative and management team who would accompany the Iranian team in World cup.
The organization reported that 14 managers and employees had their visa applications refused ahead of upcoming matches in Inglewood, California, and Seattle. The list includes the federation’s vice president, Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, and general secretary, Hedayat Mombeini.
It was not immediately clear whether federation president Mehdi Taj had received a visa.
Tensions between the United States and Iran have been high since the war began in February.
The conflict led Iran to . The Mexican city is just across the United States border, close to San Diego.
According to the Iranian Football Federation, the visa denials “effectively deprived the Iranian national team of the opportunity to compete on equal terms and in a competition free from discrimination”.
The company had been preparing for the World Cup in Antalya, Turkey, and was scheduled to travel to Mexico this Saturday (6). The team reported that they received their visas from the Mexican Embassy in Antalya.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared earlier this week.
“We have no problem with the athletes, as we have stated previously, nor with their support team. But what we will not allow is for them to include in their delegation people who we know have no relationship with the sport and who have links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or something of that nature. Therefore, we will monitor this very closely,” said Rubio
Iran, who are in , will play matches against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, both in Inglewood. The team will end the group stage five days later in Seattle.
The United States and Iran could face each other on July 3 in Arlington, Texas, if both teams finish second in their respective groups.
