Iranian president may visit team in Germany

Slides
Photos

(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-05 09:34

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany -- If Iran's World Cup team advances out of the first round, the nation's controversial president might be on hand for the rest of its games.

And that could create huge security headaches for both the German government and the organizers of the tournament. It might even spark violent protests from exiled opposition groups such as the National Council of Resistance of Iran.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the players at a Saturday send-off reception about a potential visit to the tournament, which begins Friday.

"We met the president yesterday and told him that he should come to Germany to see the games of the Iranian team," said Mohammad Dadgan, president of Iran's soccer association, said Sunday. "He said if he has time he could come to Germany."

Dadgan's statement was the first indication Ahmadinejad -- who has angered many European politicians with his threats against Israel -- might attend the World Cup. Previously, both German and Iranian officials reiterated that would not happen, and at Sunday's welcoming ceremony for the Iran team at Freidrichshafen airport, Iran's ambassador to Germany echoed that position.

"There are no plans for the president to visit," ambassador Mohammed Mehdi Akhondzadeh said.

Iran is in Group D with Portugal, Mexico and Angola. The Portuguese and Mexicans are strongly favored to advance.

"We are ready and I expect that we will do very well," said the team's Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic. "Portugal and Mexico are clearly the favorites, but we can surprise anyone."

There have been calls for the Iranian team to be excluded from the World Cup because of the current crisis over Iran's nuclear program and the president's hardline statements. But FIFA has rejected such calls, saying critics should not mix sports and politics.

On Thursday, a group of European Parliament members sought an indefinite EU travel ban on Ahmadinejad in light of his calls for Israel's destruction and his questioning of the Holocaust. Ahmadinejad has repeatedly questioned Israel's right to exist.

The group also asked FIFA to prevent Ahmadinejad from going to Germany.

Dozens of Iranian fans carrying red, white and green flags braved the wind and rain on the airport's apron Sunday to greet the incoming players. A German band dressed in medieval costumes was on hand to welcome the team with martial drumbeats and fanfares.

"This is Iran's best team ever and we want it to go into the second round of the tournament. We also want many victories," said Mohammed al Hakim, a 15-year-old student who had driven 250 miles from Frankfurt for the team's arrival.

This World Cup will be Iran's third appearance at soccer's premier tournament. Iran was eliminated in the first round in 1978 and 1998, when it scored its only victory by beating the United States in a politically charged grudge match. Iran currently is ranked 23rd in the world.

In warmup matches in the past week, Iran tied Croatia 2-2 in the Croatian town of Osijek, and won 5-2 against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Tehran. Ivankovic is banking on German-based players Ali Karimi Mehdi Mahdavikia and Vahid Hashemian to anchor the team.

"I am happy to be here in Germany, for me it's like playing at home," said Karimi, a striker for German champion Bayern Munich.