Iran has accused the US of denying visas to "integral" members of its national football team's backroom staff, hours after Washington confirmed Iranian players had been given permission to travel to the upcoming World Cup.
US officials said visas had been issued to players and "necessary support staff" on Friday, 10 days before Iran's opening fixture in Los Angeles on 15 June.
It also said Iran would not be allowed to "abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences".
Iran's embassy in Turkey accused the US of "politically biased interference in sport" by denying further visas to a "large portion of the managerial and executive staff" and "technical advisers".
A statement described the US announcement as a "whitewash", adding: "You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran's national football team to its highest level."
US officials said visas had been issued to players and "necessary support staff" on Friday, 10 days before Iran's opening fixture in Los Angeles on 15 June.
It also said Iran would not be allowed to "abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences".
Iran's embassy in Turkey accused the US of "politically biased interference in sport" by denying further visas to a "large portion of the managerial and executive staff" and "technical advisers".
A statement described the US announcement as a "whitewash", adding: "You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran's national football team to its highest level."
7 hours ago
