pany it cannot supply boots to Iranian footballers pick: GETTY IMAGES[/caption]
Sportswear giant Nike says it has withdrawn its supply of boots to Iranian footballers ahead of the World Cup because of new US sanctions.
The decision has frustrated Iranian players and head coach Carlos Queiroz, who asked Fifa to “help” his players. Last month, President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. He vowed to reimpose economic sanctions that were waived when the deal was signed in 2015. Several major foreign companies have since announced they will suspend their activities in Iran. “US sanctions mean that, as a US company, Nike cannot supply shoes to players in the Iranian national team at this time,” the company said in a statement published by ESPN. “Sanctions applicable to Nike have been in place for many years and are enforceable by law.” According to the US Treasury, any US entity found in violation of sanctions could face hefty fines.
‘National pride’
A number of Iranians have started a campaign on social media to boycott Nike products in response, using the hashtag “No to Nike”. “When Iran refuses to play against Israel it is political interference in sports, but when Nike refuses to supply boots to Iranian players due to sanctions, Fifa doesn’t say a word,” said one user on Twitter. In a widely-shared video, an Iranian man who described himself as a dentist threw a pair of Nike shoes in a bin, saying the company’s decision was “an insult to my people and all football lovers”.