Iran captain launches astonishing attack on Fifa as World Cup branded 'a disaster'

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has accused FIFA of failing to support his team after claiming their World Cup campaign has become a "disaster".

The striker delivered a furious assessment after Iran's 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle left their hopes of reaching the knockout stages hanging in the balance.

Iran thought they had won the match deep into stoppage time when Shoja Khalilzadeh fired the ball into the net.

But after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside, denying Amir Ghalenoei's side what would have been a historic route into the last 32.

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Saeid Ezatolahi then struck the crossbar with a late header as Iran were forced to settle for a point.

The result means Belgium and Egypt have qualified automatically from Group G, while Iran must now wait to discover whether they will progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

Taremi, however, was in no mood to hide his frustration after the game.

Iran's tournament has been overshadowed by visa issues, travel restrictions and political tension involving the United States.

The team were forced to move their training base to Tijuana in Mexico after members of their delegation were denied entry visas to America.

And Taremi suggested FIFA had failed to properly intervene despite previous assurances from president Gianni Infantino.

"We always complain about these things since the beginning, it's a disaster World Cup. A disaster," he said.

"As professional players in a professional competition, it's not right. It's not fair.

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"If it's fair for FIFA, okay good for them. But it's not fair. Who wants to help us? No one helps. No one."

Taremi added: "Who has to solve this problem for us? Who? FIFA? I don't know. USA. I don't know - just mention one name for me.

"Infantino came to our locker room the first game against New Zealand and said we will solve every problem here, but actually FIFA did nothing."

Ghalenoei also criticised the treatment of his squad, saying: "The USA's behaviour towards us has been really terrible and we hope the world will be aware of that."

During a tense press conference, Taremi was asked whether he believed tournament organisers would rather Iran were eliminated.

"We have to fight against everything here," he replied.

"I don't know if people want that or not but as we see it by our perspective, yeah, they are like that I think."

Despite his anger, Taremi insisted Iran still believe they can reach the knockout stages.

"I feel sad but we have hope," he said.

"We always do our best. We play for our people. We want them to be happy because we want to bring the joy.

"We want to send a message of peace for the people in Iran, outside of Iran, for FIFA, for everyone. But there is no peace about the others to us."

Iran's players also left a note in their dressing room after the match.

It read: "We come from IRAN … from a land that, for thousands of years, has placed honour about victory.

"For us, football is not only a competition for results, it is a test of character. Perhaps points can be won in many ways, but respect cannot.

"Perhaps a team can advance from a group, but only through fairness and honor can one stand tall before history. Fair play is not just a line in football's rules.

"It is the soul of the game. Thank you, Seattle, for your hospitality and thank you to all Iranians who gave their hearts, their voices and their whole being for Iran. Iran, always standing tall."

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