After a 2-2 draw with New Zealand, Iranian football players headed to Los Angeles Airport where captain Mehdi Taremi and technical staff member Saeid Alhoyi were detained by authorities.
U.S. authorities continue to escalate issues for the Iranian team. After some personnel were denied visas to enter the country, players and staff faced stringent checks upon arriving at Los Angeles Airport, and similar inspections occurred at their departure.
Taremi and Alhoyi Detained for Further Clarification
According to the publication Varzesh3, captain Mehdi Taremi and staff member Saeid Alhoyi were held by border police. This situation delayed the entire team’s flight to Tijuana.
“Currently, all national team members are on board the plane, but Taremi and Alhoyi are still going through the final stages of the departure process at the airport. Efforts are being made to resolve this issue and allow them to rejoin the rest of the team,” noted Varzesh3 on Tuesday morning.
“We Are the Most Oppressed Team at the World Cup”
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed his grievances to FIFA President Gianni Infantino immediately after the final whistle against New Zealand: “I believe our team is the most oppressed in World Cup history. We weren’t even given time to recover.
Right after the match, the Americans told us: ‘You need to leave here immediately.’ It is crucial for us to have time to recuperate. We were asked to board a plane and return to our training camp in Tijuana.
Honestly, I have no idea why we weren’t allowed to stay here. It’s very disturbing. It’s as if others are planning our entire schedule. Someone else is making decisions for us.”
Infantino made a special visit to the locker room to congratulate the Iranians for their performance against New Zealand and to assure them of his support and sympathy: “You are heroes. I am sorry for you, but there is nothing we can do.”
