By Joiner Martinez
Sep 24, 2024, 11:37 PM EDT
FIFA has confirmed that it has opened an investigation into allegations of result manipulation in the controversial futsal match between France and Iran, corresponding to Group F of the Futsal World Championship being held in Uzbekistan.
The International Federation of Association Football said it was “aware of the complaints made by several federations.”
The match, which ended in a 4-1 victory for Iran, has sparked a wave of criticism and suspicion among the participating teams, including Libya, Paraguay and Thailand, who have called for a formal investigation.
The match was reportedly marked by passive attitudes and an apparent lack of competitiveness on the part of both teams, especially in the first half of the encounter, which raised suspicions of a possible agreement between the teams.
The high point of the match came when Iran striker Salar Aghapour scored the opening goal in circumstances that many have considered unusual. France goalkeeper Thibaut Garros showed no resistance to what looked like an easy save, fuelling suspicions of possible match-fixing.
The goalkeeper’s performance was described as “a shameful spectacle” on social media, with netizens and pundits suggesting that the French team was not playing the match with the seriousness required in a world competition.
The final result left Iran top of the group, allowing them to avoid a premature draw with tournament favourite Brazil. Instead, Iran will face Morocco in the round of 16, while France will play Thailand, a seemingly more favourable pairing.
The controversy has come at a crucial moment in the tournament, just as the teams prepare for the round of 16. Confirmation of the investigation has caused shockwaves in the three World Cup venues in Uzbekistan, where the decisive matches will be played this week.
Teams that have already qualified are under scrutiny as FIFA attempts to preserve the integrity of the competition.
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