Iran slams US for denying World Cup visas to 12 support staffers
Iran’s embassy in Turkey has criticized US officials for withholding visas for several members of the Iranian World Cup squad’s accompanying staff, after the US ambassador in Ankara had hailed the move to grant visas to the core of the squad.
The Iranian embassy accused Ambassador Tom Barrack of trying to “whitewash conduct that violates FIFA regulations” and the US’s obligations as co-host of the competition.
“Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?” the embassy asked online, responding to a prior post from Barrack.
The embassy accused the US government of escalating its “deliberate and discriminatory treatment of Iran’s national football team to its highest level.”
It called on FIFA to “hold the US accountable for violations of its rules.”
According to Iranian news agency Tasnim, a total of 12 visa applications were denied. Those not given US visas included Executive Director Mehdi Kharati, the secretary general of the soccer federation, Hedayat Mombini, and Media Director Mohsen Motamedkia, Tasnim reported.
The Iranian squad is traveling to its base of operations in Mexico, relocated from the US in response to the conflict, this weekend. But all three of Iran’s group stage matches will take place on the US Pacific Coast, two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, dw.com reports.
