Taremi slams FIFA treatment of Iran at World Cup

Mehdi Taremi has called out FIFA over its treatment of Iran at this World Cup, telling Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung "That is not fair" (1). The captain's frustration centres on what he sees as a failure by football's governing body to uphold its core responsibilities when it comes to his team. The comments come with Iran sitting on two points from two Group G matches after holding Belgium to a 0–0 draw, a result that has them well positioned to reach the knockout stage. Ghalenoei's side have been one of the tournament's most organised units, frustrating Kevin De Bruyne and company, but Taremi clearly feels the fight off the pitch is as real as the one on it.