Iran team blames US for 'disastrous' restrictions at World Cup
Iranian football players have voiced frustration over recurring World Cup hurdles against their participation in the tournament, pointing to politically driven decisions by US authorities as the source of restrictions.
Team Melli have been subject to travel restrictions since the tournament kicked off last week.
Players and coaching staff say the travel schedules are impacting their match performance.
After their match with New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, the team was forced to fly back to their base camp in Mexico on the same day.
It was not the team’s choice to fly back, as they had planned to hold a recovery session in Los Angeles the next day, striker Mehdi Taremi and goalscorer Mohammad Mohebi said in press interviews.
“They have said we have to leave immediately,” head coach Amir Ghalenoei added.
Read more: Iran team blames US for 'disastrous' restrictions at World Cup
Members of the Iran coaching team during the national anthems before the New Zealand match as fans display pre-Iranian Revolution 'Lion and Sun' flags behind them, 15 June (Reuters/Daniel Cole)