FIFA has reportedly revoked the ticket allocation for Iran fans at the team’s three World Cup games in the United States.
The Associated Press says this claim came from Iran’s national football federation on Tuesday.
Each federation for the 48 teams taking part is entitled to receive and distribute 8% of stadium capacity at the World Cup, adding up to several thousands of tickets for each game.
However, the federation has now issued a statement saying it was now unable to provide any tickets to its supporters.
Iran is due to begin their World Cup campaign on June 15th at the Los Angeles Rams’ stadium in Inglewood against New Zealand.
The claim adds to the turmoil between Iranian football, FIFA, and tournament co-host the U.S., which began military attacks on Iran on February 28th.
FIFA has total authority over ticketing operations at the World Cup, yet the Iranian soccer body suggested “the United States has now taken steps to obstruct the presence of Iranian supporters at the stadiums.”
FIFA has reportedly been approached for a comment.
This development comes on the heels of a FIFA-appointed match referee from Somalia, Omar Artan, being denied entry to the U.S. in Miami last weekend.
On Monday he was ruled out of taking part in the 104-game tournament.
