Iran star Mehdi Taremi took a shot at FIFA and claimed tension has followed the country’s national team from the moment players set foot in the United States ahead of its highly-charged World Cup opener.
Iran opens its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, with the game taking place against the backdrop of war with the United States.
There has been months of disruption and uncertainty surrounding the country’s participation, including feuds over visas being denied to members of the Iranian delegation. President Donald Trump previously warned Iran: ‘I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety’Â
After the team base was moved from Arizona to Mexico at late notice, Amir Ghalenoei’s players flew across the border from Tijuana to Los Angeles on Sunday. Nearly two hours after landing at LAX, the team bus arrived at their hotel under police escort, with drones and dogs and surveillance systems in place. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from the airport.
Players passed a small demonstration and there are suggestions up to 35,000 protestors at SoFi Stadium on Monday night. Los Angeles has the biggest Iranian diaspora outside of Iran, with many conflicted over supporting the national team amid its alleged links to the country’s political regime.
During a pre-game press conference on Sunday, Taremi suggested the chaos engulfing Iran ‘undermines’ FIFA’s message that soccer ‘brings peace.’ Minutes later, FIFA officials attempted to shut down a question as the build-up to the game descended into more chaos.
Iran star Mehdi Taremi took a shot at FIFAÂ ahead of team’s highly-charged World Cup opener
President Donald Trump previously warned Iran that it may not be safe at the World CupÂ
‘I have felt the tension since the moment we arrived,’ Taremi said. ‘It’s not just Iran that have been impacted, others including referees have been impacted. I have felt the tensions as soon as I arrived.
‘Of course I don’t have the same beautiful experience [of past World Cups]. We talk about peace, joy, of course we don’t have the same experience.’
He continued: ‘Of course we have had problems but even before we arrived the sensation people had of looking forward to a World Cup they have not had the same feeling.
‘This kind of tension undermines that joy and it undermines the message of FIFA and our people which is football brings about peace. That is how I have felt.
‘This World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has but I hope in the future it will be better for all fans at the World Cup, whoever they are supporting.’
FIFA has banned pre-revolutionary Iranian flags – featuring a lion and sun emblem – from games, with the Iranian regime threatening to halt games if unauthorized flags are displayed or the team is targeted by slogans from the stands.
During a pre-game press conference on Friday, a journalist attempted to ask Ghalenoei whether that would be a decision for the coach or the players, only for a FIFA official to interject.
The governing body had begun the press conference by insisting questions had to be focused on the game, rather than politics.
Amir Ghalenoei’s players arrived in Los Angeles from their base in Tijuana on SaturdayÂ
The Iranian players were welcomed by a police escort, protests and dronesÂ
Taremi admitted that he and his teammates had felt the tension since their arrivalÂ
Despite the official’s attempt to shut down the question, Ghalenoei insisted his and his players’ focus would not be on what is going on in the stands.
‘We are here to perform a good match – a high-quality match,’ he said. ‘We don’t pay any attention to the hype or what’s going on around us.’
Around a dozen members of Iran’s delegation have reportedly been banned from the United States, including the president of the country’s soccer federation.
USÂ officials said visas had been issued to all players and ‘necessary support staff’ but that Iran could not ‘abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses.’
Sunday’s press conference began with a statement from head coach Ghalenoei, who said: ‘I am very happy to be representing the great and proud and strong nation of Iran.
‘I’m glad we’re all here from my country and I hope that football will bring about joy and enjoyment and it will bring closer the cultures and countries.
‘I hope the World Cup will go well despite the travel problems we have had. I hope it will not affect the quality of our play.’
