ZURICH: Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter thinks Iran should be barred from the World Cup amid widespread protests in the Islamic Republic sparked by the death of a woman in the custody of morality police, a Swiss paper quoted him on Friday as saying.
“Iran should be excluded from the World Cup,” the Blick tabloid reported, saying Blatter at a talk at its publisher’s headquarters had demanded harsh consequences and that he would have removed Iran from competition had he still been in charge.
The protests in Iran pose one of the boldest challenges to Iran’s clerical rulers since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran has accused foreign enemies of fomenting unrest raging since the death of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in September after her arrest for allegedly flouting Iran’s strict dress code imposed on women.
The Blick paper cited Blatter as saying it was incomprehensible that FIFA head Gianni Infantino had not taken a clear position on Iran.
Blatter, 86, had made waves this week by saying it had been a mistake to award Qatar the hosting rights to the World Cup, which begins on Nov. 20.
Former FIFA head Blatter says Iran should be barred from World Cup
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Former FIFA head Blatter says Iran should be barred from World Cup
- The protests in Iran pose one of the boldest challenges to Iran’s clerical rulers since the 1979 Islamic Revolution
Nepal sign off at T20 World Cup with win over Scotland
- Nepal’s fans erupted with joy at the Wankhede Stadium after seeing their team win
- “I want to thank the fans who came from Nepal and supported us, that gives a lot of motivation to all of us,” said player of the match Airee
MUMBAI: Dipendra Singh Airee hit an unbeaten 50 as Nepal saved their best for last to end their T20 World Cup campaign with a seven-wicket win over Scotland on Tuesday.
Chasing 171 for victory, Nepal looked in trouble at 98-3 in the 14th over before Airee took the initiative in his 23-ball knock as his team achieved the target with four balls to spare in Mumbai.
Airee put on 73 runs with Gulsan Jha, who made 24 not out, as Nepal earned their first win after three losses in Group C.
Nepal’s fans erupted with joy at the Wankhede Stadium after seeing their team win for the first time in the tournament since 2014.
“I want to thank the fans who came from Nepal and supported us, that gives a lot of motivation to all of us,” said player of the match Airee.
“And in the last World Cup, we didn’t win a single match. So that’s why this win is very important for us.”
It was Nepal’s first victory in the T20 World Cup since they beat Hong Kong and Afghanistan in the opening stage 12 years ago.
Nepal had given England a mighty scare in their opener before losing by four runs and then went down in the next two games.
Put in to bat, Scotland posted 170-7 after a 45-ball 71 by opener Michael Jones.
Nepal pace bowler Sompal Kami stood out with figures of 3-25.
Nepal started strongly with Kushal Bhurtel scoring 45 as he put on 74 runs with fellow opener Aasif Sheikh, who made 33.
Spinner Michael Leask picked up three quick wickets as Scotland fought back but Airee led Nepal over the line for a memorable win.
