Iran federation denies US claim of Revolutionary Guards-linked individual attempting to board team flight | OneFootball

Iran’s football federation has rejected a claim by US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin that a person with direct links to the Revolutionary Guards tried to board the national team’s flight on Saturday.

Mullin made the allegation on Fox News programme Sunday Morning Futures, saying the attempt occurred on the team’s journey from Tijuana to Los Angeles.

In a statement issued before today’s match against Belgium, the federation condemned the remarks, describing them as false, fabricated and entirely unfounded. It added that those making the claim knew no such incident had taken place.

The federation said it was regrettable that a senior US official had resorted to disinformation to justify restrictions on members of the delegation. It also rejected allegations about the reasons for visa refusals, arguing the remarks lacked any evidence and sought to mask discriminatory behaviour.

With president Mehdi Taj among about 10 people prevented from entering the United States, the federation said its members had no personal interest in travelling and pursued visas solely to accompany the national team. It called for the publication of evidence for what it termed false allegations, said to harm the reputation of Iranian football and disrupt participation in the World Cup, and vowed to follow up the matter.

Source: L'Équipe