Iran leave new fair play note after draw with Egypt

Mehdi Taremi leads his Iran teammates in applauding the fans

Iran players left a note in their changing room following their 1-1 ⁠draw with Egypt on Friday, thanking Seattle for its hospitality during the World Cup, and appearing ‌to express disappointment over the result that left their place in ‌the knockout stage in limbo.

Iran seemed to have ‌booked an automatic spot for the Round of 32 when ‌Shoja Khalilzadeh found the net in stoppage time, sending ‌supporters in the stands into delirium.0They were left heartbroken moments later, as the goal was ruled out for offside ‌after a VAR review.

"Perhaps a team ⁠can advance from a ‌group, but only through fair(n)ess and honor can one stand ​tall before history," the handwritten message by the side and released by Iran's football federation read.

"Fairplay is ​not just a line in football's rules, it is the soul of the game."

"Thank you, Seattle for your ⁠hospitality and thank ​you to all Iranians... who gave their hearts, their voices and their whole being for Iran," it added.

The team left a similar note in Los Angeles following their ‌draw with Belgium in their second game. With three points in Group G, Iran have to wait until the end of the group stage games on Saturday to see if they are one of the eight best third-placed teams to advance.

Iran had to travel from Mexico to the U.S. for all their games due to the restrictions on their movement imposed by Washington, although some restrictions ‌were eased ahead of the game. Tensions between the ​two countries continue to simmer following a months-long ‌war.

After the game against Egypt, Iran's coach Amir Ghalenoei and captain Mehdi Taremi minced no words in their criticism of the restrictions, with both calling the conditions "unfair".

"I urge FIFA: don't let hosts treat players ⁠and teams the ⁠same way in future ‌World Cups," Ghalenoei said.