LOS ANGELES: Iran´s coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Sunday political tensions and visa issues have damaged his side´s preparations for the World Cup but insisted his players will not “pay attention to any of the hype.”
Iran have arrived at the tournament under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row, after the United States -- in military conflict with Iran for months -- refused to issue visas for some team support staff.
They play their opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, marking the first time that a World Cup host has hosted a country with which it is at war. The Iran team bus, accompanied by a police motorcycle escort, was met by a small group of anti-regime protestors at training late Sunday.
Much larger demonstrations are planned outside the stadium by members of the Iranian diaspora opposed to the nation´s hardline regime, and there have been threats that the Iran team could walk off the pitch if anti-government banners are displayed.
“We are here to perform a good match, a high-quality match. We don´t pay attention to any of the hype and anything that goes on around us,” Ghalenoei said in a press conference in response to a question from AFP. “Naturally, all teams have their own problems, and in many countries, many things happen that have nothing to do with football.”
