The Iranian national football team is set to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA over what their coach has branded 'oppressive' travel restrictions in the United States. Despite all three of Iran's group games being played in the US, the team is only allowed into the country the day before each fixture and must leave immediately afterwards.
This has forced the team to establish their training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than their intended US base. A request to arrive two days prior to their next match against Belgium, in Los Angeles on Sunday, was denied by the US authorities.
The Football Federation of Iran has confirmed the official complaint will be made to FIFA, with a spokesperson stating that despite technical reasons being presented, the request was once again denied. The team's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, has described the restrictions as 'oppressive'.
This is not the only issue the team has faced pertaining to this World Cup, as numerous members of the backroom staff and federation have reportedly been refused visas to enter the United States.
The travel restrictions have also been met with protests outside the stadium, with 300 to 500 people gathering outside the stadium waving anti-Iranian government signs and flags.