We are ready to host big football events, Rouhani tells FIFA chief
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Loading...Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Iranian President Hassaan Rouhani says that Iran is fully prepared to host major international football tournaments.
In a meeting with the president of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Josep Sepp Blatter, in Tehran on Wednesday, Rouhani discussed the future of Iranian football and its ability to host the Asian Cup in 2019.
During the meeting, which was also attended by Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifah, Rouhani thanked the two officials for backing Iran’s bid to host the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
“Today, football is not only a sport, but the shining players are countries’ peace ambassadors to football fields,” Rouhani Said.
Upon his arrival in Tehran, Blatter elaborated on major objectives of his visit to Iran.
“The Iranian Football Federation invited me two years ago, but I couldn’t come to Iran, and I also postponed the visit last year. Now it’s a good time to visit Iran because it’s the same time to congratulate them for qualifying to the World Cup 2014,” he said.
“The people of Iran are happy to be in the World Cup, and this will create a lot of emotions in this country,” the FIFA president said.
“There is also a change in Iran, and that’s why I’m also honored to meet President Rouhani and to speak with him about the future of the country and the future of football because Iran is a big country and has big football.
“Iran played against the United States in the 1998 World Cup in France and they defeated the United States. This time it could happen again. Iran and the United States could be in the same group, depending on the draw, because both teams have qualified,” Blatter added.
“I have also discussed the problems of the sanctions that are still imposed on Iran, which is difficult for us. We can’t help Iran develop or receive FAP (Financial Assistant Program) or to organize Goal Projects… in this area, they are so much in need of our help,” he stated.
