Women’s Asian Cup: Iran team trying to focus on football, as US, Israel bomb country
Iran squad arrived in Australia days before regime-change assault killed country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Football chiefs offered “full support and assistance” to the Iranian team in Australia Sunday for the Women’s Asian Cup after the United States and Israel launched massive attacks on their homeland.
Iran’s 26-strong squad arrived on the Gold Coast days before the strikes on Saturday killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Washington and Tel Aviv seek to topple the Islamic republic.
They are expected to open their tournament on Monday against South Korea.
The Asian Football Confederation said in a statement it “continues to closely monitor the recent developments in the Middle East during this challenging period”.
“The AFC’s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and security of all players, coaches, officials and fans,” it added.
“In this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the Iran women’s national team and officials on the Gold Coast and are offering our full support and assistance.”
