Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said Saturday that U.S. authorities had informed him travel restrictions affecting his team would be eased in time for Iran’s third World Cup group match, but criticized the treatment his players have faced, saying it had negatively affected their performances on the field.
The Iranian squad arrived at the World Cup with their country still at war with co-hosts the United States, and have been based in Mexico while playing all their games in the U.S.
That has required frequent cross-border travel and U.S. authorities have only permitted the team to remain in the country for a few hours after each game, with restrictions frequently shifting at the last minute.
After playing Belgium in Los Angeles last Sunday, Iran's final group game will take place in Seattle next Friday against Egypt.
Ghalenoei Saturday said he had been told his team would have more flexibility for their final match, before quickly adding that it would have been "justice" for his team to have the same treatment for its first two games.
