Iranian soccer players arrive in US amid tensions

Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi has said the controversy and disruption surrounding their participation in the World Cup is undermining FIFA's message of peace. He admitted he felt the tension before their arrival in Los Angeles, on the eve of their opening match, hours before a peace deal was announced.

On Sunday, Iran flew to LA from Tijuana, Mexico, where they had been relocated amid an ongoing row over visas. They are expected to be confronted by Iranians, many of whom believe the national team does not represent the country. Iran has faced problems in the run-up to the tournament, with several officials denied entry into the US.

"This kind of tension undermines the joy and message of FIFA and our people, which is about football and bringing peace," the Olympiacos forward said. “I think this World Championship could have offered a better atmosphere than it has and I hope it will be better for all fans in the future, no matter who they are for.

“It's not just Iran that has been affected; others have also been affected, including referees. I have felt the tension from the moment we arrived at this World Championship. Of course, we don't have the same wonderful experience that we normally discuss – peace and joy. I know that several countries have had problems with visas and training camps. The tension is there – it was there even before the World Championship started. The feeling, the thrill that people always have when they look forward to a World Championship, I don't think they had that this time."

Taremi and his teammates landed in LA after a second attempt to land. Upon arriving at their team hotel in Manhattan Beach, they were welcomed by some Iranian protesters, who are largely part of the 375,000-strong Iranian population in California, the largest outside Iran, as well as a heavy police and security presence, including drones, mobile surveillance and sniffer dogs. A western area of LA, around Westwood, is known as "Tehrangeles" because of the huge Iranian diaspora. "Iran will play as a local team in Los Angeles, despite everything," said Iran's head coach, Amir Ghalenoi.


About 35,000 Iran supporters are expected for their Group G opener against New Zealand, with many expected to protest against the team before the match. “We are here to play football and we are here to represent the respectful people of Iran, both the Iranians within Iran and the diaspora,” Ghalenoi said. “We only think about our country. We are not political people and FIFA's slogan is this, that football is separate from politics. We respect and celebrate each and every one of Iranians.”

Ghalenoi admitted that the complicated journey had an impact on their preparation. “We were going to start training earlier, but look, we arrived too late and we didn't have enough time to adapt, of course that will affect us,” he said. "I know my players are determined to give their best. I hope that the World Championship will go well despite the travel problems we have had... I hope it will be the quality of uswill not affect the game."

Iran reportedly cleared customs without any problems, but arrived about 20 minutes late for their pre-match press conference at So-Fi Stadium. “It wasn't our fault,” Taremi said. “The national team players play for every Iranian… People have different opinions, but we are here as footballers to unite people and we will try to bring joy to all Iranians, regardless of where they live. Everyone can have their own opinion. We are not here to get involved in politics, we are here to play football."

Ghalenoi was also asked about Sardar Azmoun's absence amid reports of a perceived act of disloyalty to the government. Azmoun, who plays in the United Arab Emirates, is said to have outraged his government by posting a photo of himself with UAE ruler Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. Facilities in the UAE have been attacked by Iran during the conflict. “Serdar Azmoun is an excellent player and has done a lot for the national team, but he is not with us and we wish he was there, but this is football, sorry,” Ghalenoi said.

One problem FIFA faces is the possibility of supporters bringing flags showing the country's historic flag, with a lion and a sun, from before the Islamic revolution. The flag is banned in stadiums during the World Cup. A FIFA official shut down a question about the flag, saying it was not relevant to the match.

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