United States coach Gregg Berhalter has issued a grovelling apology to Iran over the ‘Flag-gate’ controversy that has overshadowed their make-or-break game at the 2022 World Cup.
Berhalter insisted that his players and staff had no idea that his US Soccer bosses had taken a decision to post a doctored image of the Iranian flag with the emblem of the Islamic Republic removed on social media.
Reports from Tehran claimed Iran would urge FIFA to kick the Americans out of the tournament over a gesture that was made in support of protestors campaigning over Human Rights issues in the country.
After trying to sidestep the issue, Berhalter said: “The players and staff had no idea what US Soccer has put out - and sometimes these things are out of your control.
“We can only apologise on behalf of the players and staff. Our thoughts are with the Iranian people - but we must be totally focused on this match.”
In a press conference littered with regrets, Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams was also backed into a corner after being criticised over his pronunciation of Iran. Adams was also asked how, as black man, he could represent a country that is riddled with racism. “My apologies for my mispronunciation of your country,” said the 23-year-old.
“There is discrimination everywhere you go, but playing abroad has allowed me to assimilate into different cultures. It’s about education - like you have just educated me in how to pronounce the name of your country.”
Iran boss Carlos Queiroz, who demanded that BBC pundit Jurgen Klinsmann be removed from his position on FIFA’s technical study group after he criticised his team, refused to comment on his row with the German.
But while Queiroz insisted he would prefer to talk about football than politics, his reference to “kids dying in school shootings” will hit a nerve in the States. Queiroz said: “My father taught me that I must never tell a lie to football.
“I will prepare my team to play the best football because if I allow my mind to fall into a trap I will be lying to football and lying to my father.
“I have said many times that our solidarity is with all humanitarian causes, no matter what they are - whether that’s human rights or kids dying in school shootings. Events surrounding this World Cup will be a good lesson for us in the future.
“The lesson we must learn is that we must create excitement for 90 minutes and make the people happy. Let’s enjoy the party, let’s enjoy the show. When it finishes, I hope the Iranian fans are proud of us and the US fans are proud of them. Let’s make sure that this is a day when football wins.”
