Iran Press/ Iran news: The Iranian and American freestyle wrestling teams were scheduled to have friendly matches on Feb. 12 in Texas, at the formal invitation of the U.S. side, so visas had to be officially issued for the entire team, all of which were athletes and coaches.
Yet, the US had denied visas to two wrestlers, the coach, head of the team, an Olympic referee of the Iranian Wrestling Federation, and the Head of Iran Wrestling Federation Alireza Dabir.
Ghazizadeh Hashemi criticized the political decision of the United States on sports, saying: "The action of the American government once again proved that the regime is not reliable."
In a letter to his American counterpart, Bruce Baumgartner, the Head of Iran Wrestling Federation Alireza Dabir also announced that due to the US move Iran Wrestling Federation had no choice but to cancel the trip.
He also expressed protest against the disrespectful and impolite behavior of some members of the US Consulate General in Dubai with the head of the Iranian national wrestling team, interrogated for about 5 hours.
He went on to say that he was convinced that Baumgartner and the American wrestlers have not played a role in the unsportsmanlike political currents.
In his email to Baumgartner, Dabir also said that the US authorities took the measure despite all the preparations made by the members of the Iranian team and the presentation of all the necessary documents and the subsequent pursuance.
Instead, Dabir invited the American wrestling team to Tehran for a friendly match.
The Iranian government also condemned the US decision not to issue visas.
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