Iran Coach Says Team 'Oppressed' by Travel Chaos After World Cup NZ Draw
The Travel Chaos
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Monday that his team were being “oppressed” due to last-minute travel changes stemming from tensions between Iran and the United States, adding the disruption had affected their performance after a 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
The Last-Minute Changes
The Iranian football federation had negotiated a late move of the team’s base camp from Arizona in the US to Tijuana, Mexico amid uncertainty over US visas and a growing sense that the squad’s presence in the US should be kept to a minimum, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico has told Reuters.
The Impact on Performance
Ghalenoei, 62, said they had suffered further disruption, with Iran expecting to remain in Los Angeles overnight on Monday but instead being required to return immediately to Mexico.
- “We’re supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime, but they haven’t permitted us,” Ghalenoei said.
- “To be honest, I have no idea why. I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.”
FIFA's Role
Iran forward Mehdi Taremi said the restrictions were preventing his team from playing their best at the tournament.
- “It’s not good for us. I think it’s not good for football,” he said.
- “I think FIFA have to help us more than this.”
The Way Forward
Coach Ghalenoei also highlighted the absence of key backroom staff, with some officials and media unable to travel due to visa restrictions, leaving coaches to take on additional responsibilities on the bench.
- “Our management team, many of them aren’t here,” he said.
- “We had to deal with those roles ourselves.”