Italian sports officials say four-time champions Italy are not interested in replacing Iran at the upcoming World Cup following a suggestion to that effect by a Trump administration official.
Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup, and the team is preparing to play in the US despite the war in the Middle East. FIFA has insisted its group stage games near Los Angeles and in Seattle will go ahead as planned in June.
Paolo Zampolli, the US special envoy for global partnerships, had suggested the swap to President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Zampolli emphasised that “my request is not a political request”. The ask, which was made to Trump and Infantino on Wednesday, was meant as a contingency plan in case Iran cannot participate in the tournament at the last minute.
“I had a dream,” Zampolli said, “My request was for the Italian people and the American-Italian people.” He said that with four titles, the Italian national team's appearance in the World Cup would be justified.
Italian officials pushed back hard at the suggestion with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi saying on Thursday that “first of all, it's not possible. Secondly, it's not a good idea”. Luciano Buonfiglio, the president of the Italian Olympic Committee, which oversees all sports in Italy, also dismissed the idea.
“I would feel offended,” Buonfiglio said. “You need to deserve to go to the World Cup.” Italy's Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called the suggested swap “shameful”. Hours later, Trump was asked at the White House about Iranian soccer players potentially not being allowed into the US for the World Cup. He initially joked, “I don't think about it too much” before adding, “That's an interesting question.” “Let me give that some thought,” Trump added.
He then deferred to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said, “Nothing from the US has told them they can't come.” “The problem with Iran would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other people that they want to bring with them,” Rubio said, suggesting that Iran's soccer team could bring in people loyal to militant groups disguised as journalists and trainers.
“We may not be able to let them in,” Rubio said of people around the team. “But not the athletes themselves.” He added that there had been “speculation that Iran may decide not to come, but then Italy could fill their spot,” without adding details. “If they decide not to come on their own, it's because they decided not to come,” he said of Iranian athletes.
Also read: Italy miss out on 3rd straight World Cup
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