Italy’s repechage to World Cup: first retaliation by Iran after trip to America

The conflict between the United States and Iran is far from a resolution, and tensions have risen again in recent days. In addition to the drama of the war comes repercussions on the sports front, with Tehran’s selection for the World Cup in the U.S. increasingly in doubt.

An episode in Iranian soccer is a good testament to the contrast between Iran and the United States even at the soccer level: according to an announcement by the Persepolis Club, sporting director Afshin Pirovani has been fired for traveling to America during the U.S.-Israeli military operations against the Islamic Republic.

The club said in a statement that the decision was made “following the decision of the disciplinary committee and because of Pirovani’s absence from team training: his contract has been officially terminated.”

Earlier in the day, Ali Bazgosha, a Persepolis spokesman, had responded to state media reports about Pirovani’s dismissal, saying that the executive had arranged with club officials for a trip to the United States before the start of the war. Pirovani’s trip had triggered a strong wave of criticism against him from the public and fans.

Fueling the rumors of Iran’s forfeit from the World Cup is also the absence of Tehran Football Federation representatives from the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) pre-World Cup meeting held in Canada last Tuesday: behind the executives’ non-attendance possibly visa problems that allegedly forced them to drop out.

Moreover, Iran is struggling to find opponents for its pre-World Cup friendlies: after Panama and Costa Rica, North Macedonia and Angola have also declined. Italy remains at the window: the pressure of Trump’s envoy Zampolli on FIFA has sparked discussion in recent days.