“While the Iranian leadership will enjoy the matches of its national team at the World Cup, Ukrainians will be killed by Iranian rockets and drones,” said Palkin, who called for the expulsion of Iran by FIFA and the entire football community. “It would be a just decision that would draw the world’s attention to a regime that is killing its best people and helping to kill Ukrainians,” he added.
A group of Iranian sportsmen and women also called for a response to the brutal crackdown on anti-government protests after Iran was kicked out of the World Cup last week.
The head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said in the media today that the Russian army has already used more than 330 Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones to attack Ukraine, of which roughly a third will reach their destination. According to Budanov, Russia has ordered 1,700 drones of various types from Iran.
Iran will play in Group B at the World Cup against England, Wales and the USA. Wales qualified for the Championship after beating Ukraine in the June play-off, which was postponed from March due to the war.
