26th September 2024

September 26 – The Futsal World Cup has exploded into controversy, with coaches making accusations of match-fixing following a heavy defeat for France against Iran.

Rivals have complained about the manner of the French performance in a 4-1 loss, a result that opened up a potentially easier passage through the tournament for Les Bleus in Uzbekistan.

After a lifeless first half, Iran easily prevailed after France conceded a soft opening goal in the second, triggering angry reactions from other teams, some of whom filed complaints to FIFA.

“FIFA is aware of complaints filed by participating teams at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 regarding the Group F match between France and IR Iran,” a FIFA spokesperson was quoted as saying. “No further comment will be made while this process is ongoing.”

While both teams had already qualified for the last 16, the result means France will take on Thailand before a potential quarter-final against Paraguay, while Iran face Morocco ahead of a possible last-eight clash against world number one Brazil.

“Iran and France, coaches and players alike, have disgraced my sport. You are a disgrace to the world,” Thailand coach Miguel Rodrigo wrote on X.

Retired Brazil great Falcao was quoted by French media as saying: “It shows a lack of respect for the World Cup. The match was clearly fixed from the first minute.”

A post on X by Libyan head coach Ricardo Iñiguez, whose team were eliminated from the competition at the group stage, also said the match had been a “disgrace” for the sport. “Libya is going to file an official complaint.”

But France coach Raphael Reynaud said the way the match played out was about avoiding bookings and injuries.

“It was Iran’s responsibility to be in charge of the game,” he said. “The draw is more open for us but our main goal was not to get booked and to avoid injuries.”