SEATTLE — Iran’s football federation plans to file a complaint with FIFA after claiming travel restrictions are placing the national team at a disadvantage during the World Cup.
Team Melli officials said players are being forced to travel to match venues only a day before games and return immediately afterward, a schedule they argue is affecting both physical recovery and mental preparation.
“We are the only team participating in the World Cup that is at the host cities just 24 hours, and it is not fair,” Iran secretary-general Hedayat Mombeini said. “All these limitations on us have negative effects on our players physically and mentally.”
Iran has been based in Tijuana, Mexico, during the tournament and traveled to Los Angeles one day before its opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand. Captain Mehdi Taremi said the normally short trip took around five hours because of immigration and security procedures.
The team returned to Mexico immediately after the match and had hoped to remain in California overnight to aid recovery.
Iranian officials also said a request to travel to Los Angeles two days before Sunday’s match against Belgium was rejected. The federation said it believes the restrictions do not provide equal conditions for participating teams and could affect preparations, particularly with the Belgium match scheduled for an early noon kickoff.
The federation confirmed it intends to submit a formal complaint to FIFA.
However, FIFA regulations state that teams generally travel from their base camps to match venues one day before matches and return after games, meaning Iran’s overall schedule is similar to that of many other teams.
The United States, for example, traveled from its base in Southern California to Seattle one day before its match against Australia and planned to return shortly afterward.
Iran’s situation remains unique because some team officials and support staff have been unable to obtain U.S. visas, while player Mehdi Torabi reportedly had to visit the U.S. consulate in Tijuana to secure new travel documentation after the opening match.
The restrictions remain in place despite the recent interim agreement aimed at ending the conflict involving Iran.
Iran opened the tournament with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand and faces Belgium on Sunday before concluding Group G against Egypt next week.
Source: Saudi Gazette