Asian Confed backs Iran’s participation at World Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia:

A leading soccer official in Asia says Iran are still set to play at the World Cup which kicks off in June in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Also on Monday in Tehran, a government spokesman again stressed it was for FIFA to explain why United States (US) President Donald Trump suggested last week Iran players' "life and safety" could be at risk by playing at the World Cup.

In a social media post last week in reaction to comments from Trump, Iran's soccer team said "no one can exclude" them from the global tournament where they should be a strong contender to advance to the knockout rounds.

On Monday, Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John said it had heard nothing to suggest Iran won't contest the World Cup.

"They are our member. We want them to play," he told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, where the AFC is based. "As far as we know, Iran is playing.

"It's a very emotional moment, everybody is saying a lot of things. At the end of the day it's the (Iran soccer) federation who should decide if they're playing and, as for today, the federation ... has told us that they're going to the World Cup."

TRUMP'S WARNING

The US president posted on social media that the Iran team was welcome at the World Cup despite the ongoing war with Iran but that "I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety",

It followed Trump's previous comment that "I really don't care" if Iran plays.

No team in the past 75 years has refused a World Cup qualifying place it earned on the field.

Iran are set to play all three of their World Cup group games in the US, twice in Inglewood, California and then in Seattle.- AP