Nike unable to provide Iran football boots due to US sanctions
Tuesday 12 June 2018 18:54, UK
Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz has revealed his anger at Nike after they refused to supply football boots to his players for the World Cup.
Nike confirmed in a statement they are unable to provide kit to Iran due to the US sanctions currently in place against the country.
"US sanctions mean that, as a US company, Nike cannot supply shoes to players in the Iranian National team at this time," read a statement from Nike.
"Sanctions applicable to Nike have been in place for many years and are enforceable by law."
But Queiroz, whose Iran side play Morocco in their opening World Cup game on Friday, has hit out at the American sportswear company, claiming they should apologise for their "arrogant conduct".
"It has been a source of inspiration for us," Queiroz told Sky Sports News. "This last comment of Nike was, in my personal view, an unnecessary statement. Everybody is aware about the sanctions.
"It was ridiculous and unnecessary to produce this statement against a couple of young players.
"I think it should be the exact opposite because 99 per cent of our boys, they buy the boots, so the statement should be in the opposite direction and they should thank them.
"They should come out and apologise because this arrogant conduct against 23 boys is absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary.
"We have addressed this concern to FIFA and the minimum Nike should do is to apologise to them (Iran's players).
"We expect that FIFA will come with a position and if they don't we will publish the letter we sent to FIFA."
