Rhianna Benson
The captain of Iran's World Cup squad has spoken out after being ordered to leave the US just minutes after drawing 2-2 with New Zealand.
Making his tournament debut in Los Angeles on Monday (16 Jun), Mehdi Taremi and his team made an impressive start, fighting back twice from a goal down to secure a pleasantly surprising draw.
Not long after the game concluded, however, he, the Middle Eastern squad, and their manager, Amir Ghalenoei, were transported straight to the airport and flown to their camp in Tijuana, Mexico.
The move also came after the country's national anthem was booed by thousands of spectators before kick-off.
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The team's treatment had been spurred by Iran's recent missile conflict with the US and Israel, despite a peace deal reportedly having been struck between Tehran and Washington DC earlier this week.
Following their deportation from the States, Taremi urged FIFA to issue further support to Iranian players as tensions between the two nations remain at an all-time high.
Gianni Infantino entered the team's dressing room following their draw with NZ, after which Taremi claimed he told the FIFA President that they've been dealing 'a lot of stress' since landing on American soil earlier this month.
"Everything is like a disaster actually for us… Still, we have some problems because we are supposed to be training tomorrow morning – recovery – then leave for Tijuana," the captain told the press in a conference after the game.
"But we have to leave Los Angeles right now, and it’s not good for us."
He continued: "It’s not good for the football, because in World Cup, you have to prepare good for the next game.
"Because it is a lot of stress for the players, the staff, and everyone. But we don’t have that support, and I think FIFA have to help us more than this."
Asked what the FIFA boss told his team, Taremi answered: "He just wants to help us.
"It’s the beginning of the World Cup now, and he will help us."
Taremi was also asked if there was a message he had for Donald Trump, who ordered the Iranian players to be removed from the US following their game, despite firing the initial missile at Tehran back in February.
"I’m here to play football, my friend. We are tired to talk about [issues]," the footballer replied. "And if they help us, we are much appreciated about that… if no one helps us, it doesn’t matter.
"We just stay back to back, behind each other and we try our best to win both the next games."
Backing up his lead players, manager Ghalenoei added that his squad were 'really troubled' to have been flown straight to Tijuana.
"We were supposed to stay tonight and return tomorrow lunchtime but I have no idea why and they haven’t told [us]," he said. "Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup."
Iran will play Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday, ahead of taking on Egypt on the 27 June.