Iran will not boycott World Cup over air strikes, Fifa believes
Country scheduled to play group matches in LA and Seattle and game’s governing body is hopeful crisis in Middle East will ease before summer
Fifa is optimistic Iran will be at the World Cup despite reported doubt at its national federation following military strikes by the United States.
Iran are scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle after qualifying for the tournament this summer. But as the crisis-torn nation launched strikes across the region in retaliation to a “massive” ongoing attack by the US and Israel, the World Cup is among many sporting competitions facing sudden uncertainty.
According to unconfirmed reports, Mehdi Taj, the Iranian Football Federation president, told state TV “it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that”.
Behind the scenes, senior figures at Fifa remain hopeful the escalating crisis will ease in time for Iran’s team and supporters to travel safely to the US this summer.
Mattias Grafström, the Fifa secretary general speaking at the International Football Association Board (Ifab) meeting in Wales, had said on Saturday “we will monitor developments”.
Iran had previously relented on a threat to boycott the World Cup draw as tensions previously intensified with the US.
“We had the finals draw in Washington DC, in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating,” Grafström said. “We will continue to communicate as we always do with the three [host] governments. Everybody will be safe.”
[Source: Daily Telegraph]
