FIFA Boosts Security for Iran-Bahrain

FNA – TEHRAN, The world football governing body, FIFA, appointed a security expert for a 2014 World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Bahrain next week, while many view the decision as an uninformed move.

The governing body says assigning a security official is standard for such games.

But, despite FIFA’s concern about the security of this match, the fervent fans of the Iranian national team are highly expected to give a warm welcome to the Bahraini team and chant mottoes to show their full support for the Bahraini nation’s quest for democracy and freedom.

Many expect the Iranian fans support both teams during the match.

The Oct. 11 game in Tehran follows months of protests in Bahrain by a Shiite majority that says it is discriminated against by the kingdom’s Sunni monarchy.

Some Bahraini national team players were among 150 athletes and sports officials detained for allegedly demonstrating.

Iran and Bahrain share the lead in their qualifying group with four points from two games. The group includes Qatar and Indonesia.

The qualifying match in Group E qualifier for Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup Football games will be held at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran next Tuesday.

“The three points we would achieve by wining Bahrain are very important to us and will give us a better chance to rise to the next stage,” said Karimi, an Iranian player, after the friendly game with Palestine yesterday, stressing the importance of next week’s game against Bahrain.

“Even if we don’t win the game next week,” Karimi tried to reassure Iranian Football fans, “It would be no problem and we would still have a chance to move on to the next stage in the qualifying games for Brazil 2014 World Cup.”

Coach Carlos Queiroz, considered the match to be a good practice for the Iranian team and said that he enjoyed the game with Palestine, where the Iranians thrashed their guests 7-0.

Iranian coach Carlos Queiroz, former Portugal national team coach who is now heading the Iranian national team, told reporters last Sunday that his team is “well prepared to face Bahrain national football team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.”

Iran has already attended the World Cup games three times in the past.