SEATTLE — US officials “caused problems” for Iran forward Mehdi Taremi and assistant coach Saeed Alhoei, delaying their delegation as they travelled to Seattle for the World Cup match against Egypt, Iran’s football federation said on Wednesday.
The reported incident comes days after US authorities eased travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup delegation following complaints from Tehran and the team that strict entry rules were disrupting preparations.
“During the national team’s third trip to the United States, host officials disturbed Saeed Alhoei and Mehdi Taremi, delaying the convoy’s departure to Seattle for the match against Egypt,” the federation said in a statement.
While the federation did not specify the reasons for the hold-up and whether Taremi and Alhoei were subject to questioning, it confirmed that both joined the delegation after 25 minutes and they departed with them for Seattle.
US authorities did not immediately comment.
US officials had previously required Iran, who are based in Tijuana, Mexico during the tournament, to enter the United States only shortly before matches and leave soon afterwards.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei had criticized the arrangements as unfair and said repeated cross-border travel left his players fatigued. US authorities this week allowed the team to arrive in Seattle two days before their match against Egypt on Friday, granting greater flexibility than for their earlier games.
Relations between Washington and Tehran have added political sensitivity to Iran’s participation in the World Cup, with the team facing heightened travel and security restrictions throughout the tournament.
US officials have suggested that the restrictions on the Iranian team have to do with security, without providing details of how the stay of internationally renowned athletes in the country could pose a threat to anyone.
Source: Saudi Gazette