Iran Coach Claims US Unfairly Restricts Team at World Cup

Iran's national football team coach, Amir Ghalenoei, has voiced strong criticism regarding the treatment his team is receiving from the United States, the World Cup host nation. Ghalenoei alleges that the US is imposing unfair travel restrictions and visa denials, which he believes are hindering the team's ability to prepare adequately for their matches.

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I am very glad that the Iranian nation is behind us. Our martyrs in Iran, we play for them. But I know that this kind of behavior has hurt our people. Even if we spent billions of dollars, we would not be able to have justice for our people. It just shows we are an oppressed country. But nevertheless, I hope we achieve peace, and I hope this kind of behavior does not become institutionalized in the World Cup.

"I know that this kind of behavior has hurt our people," Ghalenoei stated through an interpreter, adding that the team plays for the "martyrs in Iran." He described the situation as indicative of an "oppressed country" but expressed hope for peace and that such behavior does not become institutionalized in the World Cup.

The team faced further difficulties when their request to travel to Los Angeles earlier was denied, forcing them to cut training short. "We needed to have 24 hours (in Los Angeles), but they gave us less than 16 hours, and that is why we had to leave our training halfway," Ghalenoei explained. Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi echoed these sentiments, noting the team's planning has been disrupted by constant commuting.

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We needed to have 24 hours (in Los Angeles), but they gave us less than 16 hours, and that is why we had to leave our training halfway. These constraints have made it very difficult for us.

Ghalenoei praised FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his efforts to alleviate the restrictions and remains optimistic that the US will permit Iran to travel to Seattle in advance of their final group stage match against Egypt. He also appealed to other coaches at the World Cup to speak out against the perceived unfair treatment.

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You cannot deny that our situation hasn’t been the same as all the other teams. All the other teams have managed to focus on our planning, whereas we have had to spend so much time just commuting.