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Iran’s World Cup coach claims politics ‘affected’ but ignores ‘hype’

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Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Sunday political concerns and visa problems have hindered his side’s preparations for the World Cup but assured his players will not “pay attention to any of the hype”.

Iran have arrived at the tournament under the cloud of a nasty diplomatic spat, when the United States — at military odds with Iran for months — refused to give visas for several team support staff.

Their first match is against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, the first time a World Cup host has hosted a country with which it is at war.

A small group of anti-regime protestors welcomed the Iran team bus, escorted by a police motorbike, at the training late Sunday.

Iranian diaspora members opposed to the conservative Iranian regime are planning far larger rallies outside the stadium and there have been concerns that the Iran squad could walk off the pitch if anti-government banners are shown.”We are here to play a terrific match, a contest of quality. “We don’t pay attention to any of the hype and anything that goes on around us,” Ghalenoei said in answer to a query from AFP at a press briefing.Of course, every team has its own challenges and in many countries numerous things are happening which have nothing to do with football.”

The coach claimed his players was merely in the World Cup to “represent the respectful people of Iran, be it the Iranians inside Iran or the Iranian diaspora”.“We are not political people… football is different from politics,” Ghalenoei stated.

The news conference came just an hour after the announcement of a peace accord between the US and Iran which brings to a “immediate and permanent” halt to military operations on all fronts.

The Iran team has sparked controversy, but it is far from the only political issue affecting the World Cup that the US is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.

Many supporters including Somali referee Omar Artan were denied entry into the US for the World Cup.It’s not only Iran that has been affected, as you know,” stated star striker Mehdi Taremi.

“The tension surrounding the tournament… undermines that joy and undermines the message of FIFA or people, which is about football that brings about peace,” he said.“I have felt the tension since the first moment we came to this World Cup and whenever there is tension at any tournament, of course we do not have the same beautiful experience that we always talk about, about peace, joy for the people of every country.

Iran had intended to establish a training camp in the US, but decided at the last minute to switch to Tijuana in Mexico.

Ghalenoei said his team “didn’t have enough time to adjust… it will affect us, but God willing, I know that my players are very determined to do their utmost and show the highest quality”.“We were changed twice in our camp, first we were in the United States and then they transferred us to Mexico and of course that impacts us,” the coach stated.But Iranians are experts at turning adversity into opportunity.

Iran never has advanced past the first round of a World Cup. Belgium and Egypt are both in the same Group G.

Around 25 demonstrators outside the training session in Carson, near Los Angeles, chanted that the squad did not represent their people.“They are the terrorist regime in Iran,” said Satggin Jalali, 47, of Los Angeles.Some of us will be inside the stadium (tomorrow) We have several surprises for you.”“These guys are not for the Iranian people,” nodded Sourat Darabi, a 51-year-old doctor from Orange County.’We are here as the voice of the people of Iran because they don’t have a voice — (the government) cut the internet, and if they come out and protest, they kill them, they massacre.’

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Pakistan make good start in reply to West Indies’ 311 in first innings

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West Indies were bundled out for 311 runs in 98.5 overs in the first innings against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad on Sunday.

West Indies’ best scorer was Shai Hope who scored 92 runs off 182 balls and Kavem Hodge who scored 84 runs off 183 balls. The duo held firm after the early wickets fell.

Mohammad Ali of Pakistan was the top wicket-taker with four wickets, while Mohammad Abbas took three wickets. Khurram Shahzad took 2 wickets while Aamer Jamal took 1 wicket.

West Indies were losing wickets at regular intervals but Hope and Hodge batted through trying conditions. Rain delays interrupted the first day of the first Test, with West Indies finishing on 194 for three.

West Indies went above 300 before getting bowled out but Pakistan got key breakthroughs on the second day. Roston Chase, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales also added to the total.

Roston Chase, the captain of the West Indies, elected to bat after winning the toss. The match is a part of the Pakistan tour of West Indies and ICC World Test Championship.

Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Abbas.

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Red Sea oil tanker attacked, one hits mine in Hormuz

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A marine mine struck an oil ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian media was cited as saying the tanker was destroyed after attempting to move away from Iran’s designated path and hitting the explosive device.

Separately, a British marine agency said an oil ship was hit by a projectile in the southern section of the Red Sea. Early reports indicated the ship and all crew members were safe.

Iran’s military said six ships going through the Strait of Hormuz were warned in 24 hours. It stated that the vessels were moving away from the path chosen by Iran and that marine traffic should respect the procedures set by Iran.

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MQM-P demands 28th Constitutional Amendment

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Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Mustafa Kamal said on Sunday that his party was seeking its rights through the constitutional means and wanted a 28th Constitutional Amendment. 

Addressing a public gathering in Karachi, Kamal said that the system with one prime minister and four chief ministers has failed and cannot continue any longer. He demanded that the rulers provide a deadline for when the people would receive their rights.

He questioned the authorities over how many more children would have to fall into open manholes before changes were made in the system of governance.

Kamal said he did not accept a system in which people were denied their basic rights. The federal health minister added that he was a federal minister under the current system, but he could give up the ministry if his people were provided with powers and resources.

Kamal demanded written assurance from the rulers on when the quota system and the existing governance structure would come to an end. He said the MQM-P wanted changes in the current system.

He said the party had failed due to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s opposition, adding that the proposed constitutional amendment was not being accepted by the PPP. He claimed the PPP had warned that accepting the MQM-P’s amendment could bring down the government.

Kamal said that if the 27th Constitutioal Amendmnent could be passed, then the 28th Amendment should also be introduced. He added that the procedure for establishing new administrative units would have to be included in the proposed amendment.

He said the country was run according to the Constitution and questioned whether the Constitution stated that the Sindh chief minister could receive federal funds but not spend them on the people. He said the issue was not a shortage of resources, adding that Sindh’s rulers had received Rs22 trillion in 18 years.

Kamal said the federal government was not stopping Sindh’s funds, but the provincial government was not spending them on the public. He said Karachi had become one of the worst cities for living conditions despite generating thousands of billions of rupees.

He said they carried the blood of those who created Pakistan and a decision had to be made whether the current system would continue or be removed. He stressed that the MQM-P wanted its rights within the framework of the Constitution.

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