ROME: Italian sports officials say the four-time World Cup champions are not interested in replacing Iran in the 2019 tournament, despite a Trump administration official’s request. Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup, and the team is set to compete in the United States despite the conflict in the Middle East. FIFA has insisted that its group stage games near Los Angeles and Seattle will take place as scheduled in June.
According to the Financial Times, Paolo Zampolli, the US Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, proposed the trade to President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. In a phone conversation with the Associated Press on Thursday, Zampolli stated that “my request is not a political request.” The request, addressed to Trump and Infantino on Wednesday, was intended as a backup plan in case Iran was unable to participate in the soccer event at the last minute.
“I had a dream,” Zampolli told The Associated Press. “My request was for the Italian people and the American-Italian people. In an interview with the Financial Times, he stated that the Italian national team’s inclusion in the World Cup would be justified based on their four titles.
Also Read:
Breaking Barriers: Celebrating Leaders, Innovators, and Decision-Makers in GCC
Palestinians in Israeli Prisons Face Abuse and Cover-ups, Reports Reveal Alarming Reality
