Iran coach again criticizes treatment of team, calls them `oppressed'
INGLEWOOD, CA Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei again blasted the treatment of his team at this World Cup, suggesting it's been unethical and saying he hopes it doesn't set a precedent.Team Melli has been under strict limitations from the U.S. government because of the political turmoil between the United States and Iran. It had to move its training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico at the eleventh hour, and can only spend a certain amount of time in the United States before and after its games. Iran's team arrived in the United States less than 18 hours before its game against Belgium on Sunday, June 21, Ghalenoei said, a shorter time even than before the first game. As a result, the team had to cut its training in half."Even if we spent billions of dollars, it will not be able to bring justice to our people. It just shows we are an oppressed country," Ghalenoei said during a news conference on Saturday, June 20. Ghalenoei did say he's been told Iran can travel to its final group-stage game earlier. That game, against Egypt, is in Seattle, a further flight than the one to Los Angeles for Team Melli's first two games."I only wish theyd allowed us to come earlier for the first two games," Ghalenoei said. "They robbed us of all these opportunities."OPINION: Iranian team has become political pawn at this World CupWithout saying it specifically, it was clear Ghalenoei was blaming the U.S. government for his team's troubles. He praised FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who met with the team in its locker room after its first game, and said FIFA had done its "utmost" to help ease the restrictions on Iran. "I know FIFA is trying its best, so I thank them for that," Ghalenoei said. "I just wish they had succeeded."Iran is in a four-way tie in Group G, all of the teams having played to draws in their first games. While Ghalenoei and midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi acknowledged they made mistakes in the opener against New Zealand, especially on defense, both said the team's situation has been a factor."You cannot deny that our situation has (not) been the same as all the other teams," Ezatolahi said. "All the other teams have managed to focus on their planning, where we have had to spend so much time commuting."Other teams have had similar long commutes. Curaao's training base is in Boca Raton, Florida, and its games are in Houston, Kansas City and Philadelphia. England is training in Kansas City, and plays its games in Dallas, Boston and New York/New Jersey. But those teams aren't on the clock like Iran is. They can come and go when it suits them, whereas Team Melli has its travel dictated to them. The team also is without much of its support staff, including the head of the federation, because they were denied visas. The Iranian players' families were not allowed to come, either. "It should be ethical," Ghalenoei said. "The way they behaved toward us has not been good."All they want, Ghalenoei said, echoing what captain Mehdi Tameri said after the opener, is to play soccer. They don't want to be dragged into political spats, but they haven't been given much choice."Whatever we say, its nothing to do with politics. Its just the behavior shown to us," Ghalenoei said. "We're only voicing this because we dont want this behavior shown to other teams in the future."The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iran coach criticizes treatment, says he hopes it won't be precedent
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