Iran forced to leave midway through training session as FIFA ‘sorry’ over U-turn on travel plans

Iran boss Amir Ghalenoei has insisted his side’s training preparations are being unfairly impacted due to travel restrictions.

The Asian nation are currently in Los Angeles to face Belgium for their second Group G clash.

Iran were forced to have just a half training session ahead of their clash against Belgium on SundayGetty

Ghalenoei’s men kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand – and were immediately ordered to leave America.

Tensions have been high between Iran and the US Government amid the ongoing war between the two countries.

Due to the conflict, Iran were forced to move their training camp to Mexico, but will play all of their group games in the USA.

Iran are currently only permitted to arrive in America the day before they take to the pitch, before immediately returning to Tijuana.

Despite strict visa rules being in place on Iran’s soccer team, the Persian Cheetahs wanted to fly out to the United States on Friday – two days before Sunday’s meeting with Belgium.

But their request was denied by the World Cup task force, with Ghalenoei slamming how his country are being treated.

What has Ghalenoei said about Iran’s treatment?

He said: “We needed to have 24 hours [in Los Angeles], but they gave us less than 16 hours, and that is why we had to leave our training halfway.

“These constraints have made it very difficult for us.”

He also claimed that FIFA head told Iran that they may be able to travel on Friday afternoon, but that never happened.

Ghalenoei added: “We waited till 7.00pm, nothing happened, and they said, ‘Sorry, we weren’t able to do that.’

Iran started their World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New ZealandGetty

“That’s going to affect us mentally, especially me as a head coach, because I want to focus on technical stuff.”

Though there is optimism that terms could be relaxed for Iran’s final game against Egypt in Seattle, which has been designated a Pride Match – angering both teams.

“They said in Seattle, you can do what you want, you can act the way you want to, and you can come earlier,” he added.

“But what I want, my problem is, why didn’t they let us come earlier for the first two games as well?

“I just know for the last game, yes, they’ve allowed us to decide, to make our own decisions with regards to planning the travel.

“But unfortunately, for the first two games, others made these travel arrangements for us, and the timing for us.”

Still, Ghalenoei has called on the World Cup’s other managers to speak up on how Iran are being treated at the World Cup.

He remarked: “I ask the other 47 coaches a question, and none of them have responded to me.

“We are here for football, not politics, and we are saying that again. Our grievances are to the way they’ve behaved with us.

Iran are bidding to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in their historyGetty

“I haven’t heard anything from other coaches (at the World Cup), and I’m sure they’re busy and preparing their own teams and we never expect them to have a reaction.

“But if I had seen another team being treated the way we are being treated, I would say something.”

Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi recently commented on how Iran’s preparations are being affected due to their travel situation.

He stated: “You cannot deny that our situation hasn’t been the same as all the other teams.

“All the other teams have managed to focus on our planning, whereas we have had to spend so much time just commuting.”

Belgium right back Thomas Meunier has spoken on Iran’s treatment ahead of their fixture – likening it to when he faced Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country.

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He said: “We usually don’t mix football with politics, but it’s quite challenging to separate the two, admittedly.

“This period should push the Iranian team to do better, in my opinion. When we played Ukraine in Nations League, there was very high motivation, more energy.

“They want to make their people proud and defend their nation, for us, it’s an added challenge, I would imagine some Iranian players have a family that’s directly impacted by the war, and we obviously feel for these people.”