Iran could be forced to break strict FIFA World Cup rule due to US directive
Iran could be forced to break a strict FIFA rule at the World Cup following a directive from the United States.
Iran have travelled to North America to play in the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, amid the continuing Middle East conflict.
The US and Israel launched airstrike attacks on Iran back in February, and there were doubts at some stages that Iran would even participate in the tournament.
Their training base has been moved from the US to Mexico after the US refused to host them, though FIFA cited logistical issues in turning down Iran's request to move their three group stage matches to Mexico too.
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"FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues," Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum said at a news conference in April.
All three of Iran's games will therefore be played in the US, but their players and staff will only travel in and out of the country on matchdays.
That would mean they will automatically break a strict FIFA rule in place for the tournament.
FIFA regulations state that each national team's head coach must hold a press conference at the venue of their match on the day before the fixture takes place.
Iran boss Amir Ghalenoei would, therefore, be unable to fulfil this regulation if it is fully enforced.
It is unclear as to whether Iran could claim circumstances of force majeure and therefore avoid punishment should the rule need to be breached.
White House issue visas to Iran players
The US have decided to issue visas to players and 'necessary support staff', with the relevant applications being approved on Friday.
However, Iranian state-linked media claim that 15 other officials, including Iran FA president Mehdi Taj, had so far been denied visas.
The Iran FA say they will escalate the situation with FIFA and have called on football's governing body to intervene.
"The US government, continuing its hostile actions against the national team, made a non-sporting and completely political decision to refuse visas for key managerial and administrative members of the Iranian national football team," they say.
READ MORE: Iran issue furious statement against US days before World Cup opener
"As the responsible body, [FIFA] has the duty to follow up and finalise the visas for the managerial, executive, technical and support staff of the Iranian national team who are currently in camp and whom the national team urgently needs."
Iran's first World Cup fixture takes place on June 15 against New Zealand, with the match taking place at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
They then take on Belgium at the same venue on June 21, before their final Group G match against Egypt at Lumen Field, Seattle, on June 26.
Topics: FIFA, FIFA World Cup, United States
Ryan Smart