SEATTLE : Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei criticised travel restrictions imposed by the United States on his team after their 1-1 draw with Egypt on Friday, saying the measures left his players at a competitive disadvantage during the World Cup.
Iran, who were based in Mexico and had to travel into the United States for each of their three Group G matches, were given permission to arrive in the Seattle area only two days before Friday’s fixture.
“The host country treated us very unfairly,” Ghalenoei told reporters.
“Had the host nation allowed us to arrive two weeks earlier, to be more prepared … we would have been in better shape, physically, mentally. However, they deprived us of that justice.”
The travel restrictions came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following a nearly four-month conflict. In March, U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran were welcome to compete in the tournament but that it was not appropriate for the team to remain in the country between matches “for their own life and safety.”
Iran thought they had snatched a dramatic stoppage-time winner when Shoja Khalilzadeh bundled the ball into the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
“I used to think that we were really a totally oppressed team, but after these three games, I have noticed that we also have bad luck as well,” Ghalenoei said.
“I urge FIFA: don’t let hosts treat players and teams the same way in future World Cups.”
Ghalenoei added that his side had to fly back to Tijuana immediately after the match, further hampering the players’ recovery.
“The team came with a sacred objective, which was to train and play well,” he said. “If, God willing, we advance, I’ll give them a day to have proper recovery, go to the beach maybe to mentally relax a bit.”
