Ari Lahti comments on the impact of the conflicts on the final World Cup tournament that is waiting three months away.
The Iranian national team passed the qualifiers and qualified for the World Cup finals. EPA / AOP
The eyes of the president of the Swedish Football Association, Ari Lahti, have been focused on two conflicts: the Middle East and the unrest in Mexico following the death of a drug cartel boss.
– Both are a certain kind of concern and create a certain uncertainty, Lahti says.
– Is it safe for fans to travel to Mexico? The conflict in the Middle East is thought provoking because of what Iran is doing.
The World Cup soccer tournament starts on June 11. The United States is hosting the big event, followed by the whole world, lasting more than a month, together with Canada and Mexico.
– In the light of the moment, it seems quite difficult to think that Iran would play in the World Cup final tournament games in the USA – if it usually goes to the games, Lahti spins.
– If the situation continues like this, an alternative could be to move Iran’s games to, for example, Canada. The tickets have already been sold, so it’s quite difficult to move the games, to be honest.
Iran was drawn into Group G along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Iran will play its first two matches in Inglewood, near Los Angeles, and the third in Seattle.
Declaration
If Iran leaves, where can we find a replacement for Group G?
– To be honest, I don’t know exactly, but it has been speculated that the next best country in the Asian conference would get that place.
Is it possible that the US won’t let Iran’s World Cup team into the country?
– If they send a team, I would imagine that it would be allowed into the country, but it can be quite difficult for other Iranians to get there in such a situation.
President Donald Trump signed a declaration in the summer banning travel from twelve countries to the United States. World Cup participating countries are Haiti and Iran on the list.
– It’s a shame if we start restricting entry to the country, especially from those teams that have cleared their way to the games on sporting grounds. As far as I understand, the goal and purpose was to allow these teams and their fans there, Lahti spins.
– Of course, if there is a situation like this between the United States and Iran, it can be understandable that in that case [maahantuloa] will be restricted because the Americans already have security interests in it.
Peace Prize
US President Donald Trump received the Fifa Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino (back) in December. PDO
Trump received the FIFA Peace Prize in December, in connection with the group draws for the World Cup finals.
– If that [palkitseminen] didn’t look good before this latest event, at least it doesn’t look better now, Lahti acknowledges.
– At least in Finland, and as far as I understand it, there was no information of any kind in the Uefa circle beforehand. It’s the FIFA president’s [Gianni Infantino] designed and awarded by the award.
