Iran mock USA’s World Cup humiliation in statement aimed at Trump | Football | Sport

The United States crashed out of their home World Cup following a crushing 4-1 loss to Belgium, and now the “whole world is dancing,” according to the Iran Football Federation. The US were comprehensively outclassed by Belgium, with Iran launching a swipe at Donald Trump after the final whistle. Belgium had its own grievances about the USA after forward Folarin Balogun was allowed to play despite being shown a red card on his last appearance.

Iran narrowly failed to progress to the knockout stages, being eliminated in the group phase despite securing draws in all three fixtures, and they felt they were unfairly treated at the World Cup. An Iran football representative was swift to respond to the USMNT’s exit after US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin had previously celebrated Iran being knocked out. Iran released a statement through a spokesperson, declaring: “Now the whole world is dancing to celebrate politics’ humiliating defeat by football.”

Iran were permitted to travel to matches in the US just one day in advance and were required to leave within hours of the final whistle. They were stationed in Mexico during the World Cup. Eleven members of Iran’s delegation, including president Mehdi Taj, were also denied visas by American authorities.

The dispute escalated on Monday when Mullin revealed he performed a “happy dance” following Iran’s failure to qualify and admitted he “sang a song or two” in celebration.

Mullin said at a briefing in Washington: “I’m just glad they’re [Iran] done, and they’re not coming back. I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave the US soil, and I might’ve sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance. I’m very happy they’re going back because there wasn’t a single team that we dealt with more than them.”

The Iran Football Federation responded sharply to Mullin’s comments prior to the USMNT’s Monday fixture with a statement declaring: “Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of US officials, so no one in Iran is surprised by these hostile remarks.

“These remarks once again demonstrate that US officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organizing a global sporting event.

“The fact that he openly celebrates Iran’s elimination says far more about him than it does about our team. It reflects a level of pettiness that cannot even tolerate the presence of a football team competing on the world’s biggest stage.

“After our match against New Zealand, our head coach said that the United States did not want Iran to remain in this tournament because of the inhumane and unprofessional treatment our team experienced. These latest comments only reinforce that belief.”

By contrast, Iran expressed appreciation for the hospitality shown by Mexico, leaving a message in Tijuana thanking locals. It stated: “You showed us that hosting a FIFA World Cup is about far more than stadiums and tickets.

“True hosting is about respect, humanity, and dignity. We leave this World Cup with pride, but also with one fundamental question: Did every team truly compete under equal conditions and equal professional standards?”.