Egypt coach backs fair treatment for Iran before World Cup match
Hossam Hassan said World Cup teams deserve equal treatment as Iran says US travel rules have disrupted its tournament preparations.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has offered support for Iran before the teams meet in a decisive World Cup group match in Seattle, saying every side at the tournament should receive equal treatment. His comments came as Iran’s camp has said US travel restrictions and scheduling have hurt its preparations.
Hassan, speaking at a news conference on Thursday, told Al Jazeera he had “respect” for all teams that had earned a place at the World Cup. He said equal treatment was tied to FIFA’s stated commitment to fair play and respect.
“Respect and fair play mean everyone should respect everyone, and for there to be fairness between everyone,” Hassan said, according to Al Jazeera. He added that Iran was a team he respected “very much”.
Hassan did not directly criticise the United States, one of the tournament cohosts. Al Jazeera reported that his remarks amounted to an unusual public show of backing for Iran from another team at the World Cup.
Iran says travel rules disrupted preparations
Iran based its training camp in Mexico while playing its group matches on the US West Coast, Al Jazeera reported. Iranian players and staff were allowed into the United States only one day before matches and were required to leave shortly after playing.
US authorities eased those rules before the Egypt match in Seattle, allowing Iran to arrive a day earlier than it had for previous games, according to Al Jazeera. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Thursday that the restrictions had affected his players’ fitness and the team’s planning.
Ghalenoei told reporters Iran would try to put the issue aside and deal with the challenge. Asked by Al Jazeera about being able to arrive in Seattle two days before the game, he said that timing should have applied to Iran’s earlier matches as well.
“This was our right, which we should have had in the two previous games, but they deprived us of the right to arrive on time,” Ghalenoei said, according to Al Jazeera.
Group places on the line
The Group G match carries knockout-stage stakes for both teams. Egypt enter the game first in the group on four points, and Al Jazeera reported that a draw would be enough for them to advance.
Iran are second with two points. Belgium also have two points, while New Zealand have one.
Both coaches praised the other side during separate news conferences on Thursday. Ghalenoei said Egypt and Iran are teams from countries with ancient civilisations and said Egypt had quality beyond Mohamed Salah.
He described Egypt as organised and well prepared, adding that Salah was not the only threat in Hassan’s squad. Salah had scored in Egypt’s 3-1 win over New Zealand on Monday, which Al Jazeera described as Egypt’s first World Cup victory.
Hassan said Egypt would not play only for the draw required to qualify. In comments directed at Egyptian supporters, he said the team wanted to bring them more happiness after celebrations following the New Zealand win.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.