"Iran has indicated it will take part in this summer's football World Cup, but has demanded a series of guarantees from Fifa and the tournament's hosts amid growing tensions surrounding the team's participation. The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) said Iran would compete at the tournament "without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions", while insisting the hosts "must take our concerns into account"."
"Among the demands published in a statement on Saturday are guarantees that all players, coaches and officials travelling with the team will receive visas, including those who completed military service with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The group is listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada and the US, and Mehdi Taj's links to it were cited as a reason he was denied entry into Canada."
"Iran is also seeking assurances over the treatment of the national team, including respect for the Iranian flag and national anthem, as well as enhanced security at airports, hotels and stadiums during the tournament. Some of the requests are likely to prove easier for Fifa to influence than others. Fifa can help oversee tournament logistics, official protocols and the treatment of participating delegations during the competition itself."
"But questions involving visas, border controls and security vetting ultimately remain under US jurisdiction rather than Fifa regulations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already stated that Iranian footballers would be welcome at the tournament, while warning that individuals with links to the IRGC could still face restrictions on entering the United States. That leaves Fifa facing a delicate balancin"
Iran has stated it will take part in the upcoming World Cup while demanding guarantees from FIFA and the tournament hosts. The Iranian Football Federation said the team will compete without changing its beliefs, culture, and convictions, and that hosts must consider Iran’s concerns. Iran presented FIFA with 10 conditions after FFIRI president Mehdi Taj was denied entry to Canada before the FIFA Congress. The demands include visas for all traveling players, coaches, and officials, including those who completed military service with the IRGC, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Canada and the US. Iran also seeks assurances about treatment of the team, including respect for the flag and anthem, and enhanced security at airports, hotels, and stadiums. FIFA can influence tournament protocols, but visa and security vetting remain under US jurisdiction.
Read at www.bbc.com
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