Some predictably strong words from Iran’s sports minister:
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s sports minister, told state television, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali said.
“Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”