ROME (ITALPRESS) – The visas for the players have finally been issued, but Iran will be allowed to enter the United States only on the day of its matches and will be required to leave American soil immediately after each game.
The announcement was made by Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, where the Iranian national team has established its base camp ahead of the World Cup.
“We can enter in the morning and must leave the country on the same day,” he said, referring to the conditions attached to the visas granted to the Iranian delegation.
The arrangement appears to conflict with FIFA regulations, which require the head coach and a player to attend a pre-match press conference in the host city on the day before the game.
According to Tehran, the visas were granted only to the players and part of the coaching and support staff, while several members of the delegation—including a number of officials from the national football federation—were denied entry permits.
Iran will be based in Tijuana rather than Tucson, as originally planned, and will play all three of its group-stage matches in the United States: two in Los Angeles (against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21) and one in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
