Flowers for Team Melli: Taremi and his teammates deserves our respect

‘It’s a disaster World Cup,’ said the Iran captain. ‘Who will help us? If they want us out, let us go out. But it’s not fair.’ 

No team in World Cup history has had to endure the level of mistreatment suffered by Iran at this tournament. 

On the eve of the first game, bombs from the largest host country fell 7,000 miles away on a participating World Cup nation. Despite agreeing a ceasefire, U.S. bombs continued to fall just hours before Iran played their final group match against Egypt. 

A total of 15 officials and playing staff were denied visas entirely. They were forced to watch all three games from Mexico.

Days before the tournament began, the depleted Iranian camp were ordered by FIFA at the behest of the U.S. administration to move their base from Tuscon, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico. 

Under an effective curfew, players and remaining staff were given temporary visas on matchdays, traveling to and from their games in the U.S. with limited time for recovery. This was relaxed for their final game only – where they were given an extra day. 

‘We love the people of Tijuana. But as professional players in a professional competition, it’s not right,’ said Taremi after the Egypt game. 

The treatment of Team Melli at the hands of FIFA and the U.S. government has been nothing short of a disgrace. Let’s call it what it is: blatant and unrepentant discrimination. 

What’s to stop future teams suffering the same levels of disrespect, if a host nation deems them unwelcome? FIFA and Gianni Infantino have set a dangerous precedent. 

This World Cup will be remembered for many things, both good and bad. That FIFA failed in its duty to support a qualifying nation, subjecting it to unprecedented levels of discrimination, should be one of them. 

For competing with spirit, playing with pride, and handling their injustice with dignity, Team Melli deserve our solidarity, and most of all, our respect.