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

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. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say 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. LATEST SPORTS NEWS: 'England star needs dropping for Panama World Cup match' Reece James out for England's next couple of games with hamstring injury Panama players forced to be separated in training ahead of England match at World Cup "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 me