{"text":[[{"start":8.8,"text":"The head coach of Iran’s football team said his players were being “oppressed” after they were unexpectedly told to return to Mexico straight after their opening game in Los Angeles on Monday night."}],[{"start":19.5,"text":"Speaking after Iran drew 2-2 against New Zealand, Amir Ghalenoei said that the team had originally been cleared to stay in the US for one night before returning to their training base just over the border in Mexico on Tuesday, but that they had instead been ordered to leave moments after the game ended. "}],[{"start":36.95,"text":"“They said we have to leave immediately. We have been asked to get on a plane,” he said. “It’s very important for us to have time for recovery, but we’ve been told to return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that. We don’t know why they are returning us.” "}],[{"start":52.150000000000006,"text":"It was not immediately clear who had directed the team to leave the US."}],[{"start":56.800000000000004,"text":"Ghalenoei said the way his players had been treated made them “the most oppressed team in the World Cup”, and blamed the team’s hectic travel schedule for causing injuries. “They are making the situation more difficult. But we’re not going to let that stop us doing our best,” he added. "}],[{"start":72.55000000000001,"text":"Iran’s football team has endured a tumultuous journey to this summer’s World Cup, which is being held in the US, Mexico and Canada. "}],[{"start":81.80000000000001,"text":"When the US and Israel launched the war in February, Iran’s sports minister said the team would not be able to play in the tournament. Iran later lobbied unsuccessfully to have its three group-stage games moved from the US to either of the other two host countries."}],[{"start":97.80000000000001,"text":"Iran has been allowed to compete on US soil, but the team was forced to move its training camp from Arizona to Mexico, while several members of the delegation, including the president of the football federation, were denied US visas."}],[{"start":111.35000000000001,"text":"Speaking to reporters after the game, Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi described the situation as a “disaster” and called on Fifa, football’s governing body, to do more to help. The team is due to play again in LA on Sunday against Belgium, and then against Egypt in Seattle on June 26."}],[{"start":130.45000000000002,"text":"Fifa has sought to deflect blame for the Iranian team’s predicament. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Gianni Infantino, Fifa president, acknowledged the Iranian team faced “challenges” but pointed to “circumstances that we can’t influence”."}],[{"start":145.35000000000002,"text":"Iran’s participation in the tournament has divided opinion within LA’s sizeable Iranian community. Hundreds gathered outside the stadium before the match to protest against the government in Tehran, with many carrying the Lion and Sun, which was Iran’s national flag before the Islamic Revolution in 1979."}],[{"start":162.35000000000002,"text":"The national anthem was greeted with both cheers and boos inside the stadium."}],[{"start":166.95000000000002,"text":"However, the majority of those attending supported the Iranian team throughout the match. “There were many Iranians here, they believe in different political affiliations, different beliefs, but they all wholeheartedly encouraged us, and I think that’s a victory for all of us,” Ghalenoei said."}],[{"start":189.75,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1781603687_6220.mp3"}