Italy replacing Iran in the World Cup is a proposal that President Donald Trump’s special representative for global partnerships, Paolo Zampoli, continues to advocate.
Donald Trump is said to have supported Paolo Zampoli’s contact with Gianni Infantino (Image: Getty Images)
Paolo Zampoli, the U.S. Special Representative for Global Partnerships, continues to call for Iran to play against his home country Italy in the World Cup. The Italian-American admits time is running out for a last-minute switch by FIFA, but insists it is very difficult to believe an Iranian team will emerge.
Zampoli, 56, claims he had Donald Trump’s support when he approached Gianni Infantino about Italy replacing Iran. The FIFA president continues to insist that Team Melli will appear.
However, Zampoli said FIFA’s regulations regarding substitute teams were flawed. That’s why he contacted Infantino, he says.
Zampoli told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Because there is a flaw in FIFA regulations regarding substitutions for absent teams, I contacted Mr. Infantino with the support of President Trump,” he said.
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“If Iran did not participate in the World Cup, Italy, four-time World Cup winners and top of the list of excluded teams, would meet the appropriate requirements.”
In response to Infantino’s comment that Iran would also take part, Zampoli said: “Okay, but the crux of the problem is to understand what the Iranians are thinking. It’s very difficult to trust them. Now they’re saying the team is coming, but what about after them?”
Zampoli described their “following” as “very unwelcome in the United States given what’s going on.” He added, “The game has begun…”
His proposal cannot be said to be widely popular in Italy. However, Zampoli believes he will be able to overcome this once the tournament begins.
Paolo Zampoli continues to advocate Italy’s membership at the expense of Iran (Image: Paul Morgi/Getty Images)
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He said this after being informed that the country was evenly divided over the possibility of participating in the tournament. “I understand that, but how do you think Italians will react if their national team participates in the World Cup? Will they cheer like only we know, or will they not watch the games because we didn’t qualify?”
Asked about putting pressure on Infantino again, Zampolli said: “I don’t think it’s necessary, even if we were running out of time. And last year I already convinced him to hold the World Cup draw at the Trump Kennedy Center.”
The interviewer also suggested that Infantino’s Italian descent puts him in a complicated position. But Zampoli responded, “What if this made things easier?”
Infantino has repeatedly said Iran will take part in the World Cup, and the country shares a similar public position. Italy has no intention of taking part, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi calling Zampoli’s proposal impossible and inappropriate.
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