US officials delay Iran star Mehdi Taremi during World Cup travel
Iran striker Mehdi Taremi and assistant coach Saeed Alhoei were delayed by United States officials while travelling to Seattle for their World Cup match against Egypt.
The Iranian Football Federation confirmed the pair were unexpectedly held up, causing a 25-minute disruption to the team’s departure.
An official statement revealed that host authorities “disturbed” the duo during the squad’s third journey across the border into the US.
The prolific forward is a crucial figure for his country, making any interruption to his match preparation a significant concern.
Ongoing travel complications
The national side is currently based in Tijuana, Mexico, despite playing all their group stage fixtures on American soil.
This logistical arrangement follows earlier uncertainty surrounding security protocols and visa approvals for the Middle Eastern nation.
Their initial plan was to establish a training camp in Tucson, Arizona, before geopolitical hurdles forced a sudden relocation south of the border.
Manager claims squad are ‘oppressed’
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei recently described his squad as the “most oppressed” team at the tournament following their opening game against New Zealand in Los Angeles.
The team expected to remain in California overnight for recovery but were instructed to return to their Mexican base immediately after the final whistle.
“After the game they said to us ‘you have to leave immediately’,” Ghalenoei said.
“We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that.”
“They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best.”
US Homeland Security responds
The 60-year-old manager added that the constant travel restrictions felt “very strange” and suggested external forces were dictating their schedule.
He also highlighted the noticeable absence of their federation officials and domestic media due to the ongoing diplomatic complexities.
However, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security offered a brief rebuttal to the complaints regarding the strict itineraries.
“The Iranian National Football Team agreed to these terms,” the spokesperson said.
