Iran to lodge official complaint with FIFA over World Cup treatment days before next game

Iran will lodge an official complaint with FIFA regarding the travel restrictions they are facing at the World Cup.

Shortly after their Group G opener against New Zealand on Tuesday, Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei argued they are “the most oppressed” team at this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

His comments came after Iran were informed that they had to travel to their base in Mexico immediately after the 1-1 draw in Los Angeles rather than return the next day following a recovery session.

“We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that," said Ghalenoei in his post-match media duties.

"They are forcing us to go back early. They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best."

As mentioned previously, Ghalenoei described his Iran side as being “the most oppressed” team at the World Cup. “We don’t know why they’re returning us, to be honest. I think it’s very strange," he added.

"It seems like others are doing the planning for us. We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game but they didn’t permit [it]. We were supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime."

“I think our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup. Our federation isn’t here, our media isn’t here, our management isn’t here.”

Iran will lodge an official complaint with FIFA. Image credit: Getty

It has since emerged that Iran will only be permitted to arrive in Los Angeles just 24 hours before Sunday’s clash against Belgium, after a request to arrive in LA two days before the match was denied.

This, of course, will limit time for training and acclimatisation.

A spokesperson for the Iranian federation said: "Despite having submitted its preparation schedule for the tournament well in advance, Iran's national football team has once again encountered restrictions imposed by the organizers, affecting the implementation of its technical staff's plans.

"Given that the game will be played at 12pm local time in Los Angeles (8pm Irish time), the Football Federation of Iran requested that the team be allowed to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match."

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Iran's federation also confirmed that they are planning to lodge a formal complaint to FIFA.

“The football federation of Iran believes that such restrictions are inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and may negatively affect teams’ preparation processes," they said.

“Consequently, the federation will formally express its dissatisfaction and lodge an official complaint with FIFA through the appropriate channels. Despite these limitations, Iran’s national team will continue its preparation programme and remain fully focused on its upcoming match against Belgium.”