U.S Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has admitted that he was delighted to see Iran knocked out of the FIFA World Cup. He added that they were not welcome in the country after their recent visa issues.
Speaking to Sports Business Journal, Mullin said that he sang and danced when he got to know about Iran’s elimination. He added that they were the hardest team to work with in terms of visa and said:
“I’m just glad they’re done, and they’re not coming back. I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave the U.S. soil, and I might’ve sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance. Very happy they’re going back because there wasn’t a single team that we dealt with more than them.”
Meanwhile, an FFIRI official has anonymously told The Athletic that they were not surprised at the treatment they got from the U.S. officials. He added that Mullin’s celebrations at their elimination says more about the U.S Homeland Security Secretary and said:
“Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of U.S. officials, so no one in Iran is surprised by these hostile remarks. These remarks once again demonstrate that U.S. officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organizing a global sporting event. The fact that he openly celebrates Iran’s elimination says far more about him than it does about our team.”
“It reflects a level of pettiness that cannot even tolerate the presence of a football team competing on the world’s biggest stage. After our match against New Zealand, our head coach said that the United States did not want Iran to remain in this tournament because of the inhumane and unprofessional treatment our team experienced. These latest comments only reinforce that belief.”
Iran were forced to stay in Mexico and had to travel in and out of the United States on the day of their match.
Iran were an inch away from making FIFA World Cup knockouts
Iran scored a late goal against Egypt when the scoreline was 1-1, but Shoja Khalilzadeh’s goal was disallowed as his foot was an inch offside. They had to return from the FIFA World Cup without a win, having drawn all their matches in the group against Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt.
Iran were in contention to make the Round of 32 as they finished third, but a goal difference of zero saw them eliminated.
Edited by Sripad
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