Protests and FIFA row overshadow Iran’s World Cup opener in Los Angeles | OneFootball

Protests overshadow Iran’s World Cup opener as politics and FIFA rows dominate a 2-2 draw with New Zealand. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, scenes in and around the Los Angeles stadium eclipsed the football.

Before kick-off, around 200 regime opponents demonstrated outside. Los Angeles hosts one of the largest Iranian diasporas since the 1979 Islamic revolution, estimated at more than half a million people.

Inside, Lion and Sun flags, banned by FIFA, appeared in the stands. The anthem drew boos and whistles, mixed with some applause. Some supporters tried to park politics and enjoy the game.

Afterwards, FIFA president Gianni Infanino visited the dressing room with ambassador Yuri Dzhurkaev and praised the squad’s effort amid logistical hurdles. Players were unhappy, saying fine words had not become action.

Mehdi Taremi called the travel stressful, said support had been limited and argued FIFA could have done better. He added months of problems had left the team tired and that the treatment was a disaster.

Head coach Amir Ghalenoei said they were ordered to return immediately to Tijuana, their Mexico base, leaving no time to recover. He described Iran as the most oppressed team at this World Cup and lamented missing federation, media and staff.

Tension with the United States under Donald Trump remains despite his announcement of a peace deal this week. Ghalenoei thanked fans across political lines for their backing, and Mehdi Torabi now needs his US visa renewed before 21 June against Belgium.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo