News about Jalal Talebi

EXCLUSIVE: The Iran coach who led his team to a 2-1 victory over the United States at the 1998 World Cup has denied charges that the Iranian government threatened the team at halftime of the game. Jalal Talebi orchestrated a 2-1 victory for Iran in the French game, but Talebi told him an Iranian government official entered the locker room at halftime, took the passports off the players and said they would not recover them if they lost. 'I don't know why Mr Sampson hasn't said anything after 25 years,' Talebi told Sportsmail. It isn't true.'

The Group B finale between the US and Iran on Tuesday isn't losing for significance, despite being already tense due to political uncertainties. The Americans need a victory to advance to the knockout stage in Qatar, but they face a 2-0 victory over a Welsh team that tied the US in the first round. Since being glued on their heels for a large portion of the game, Team USA shocked favorite England with a 0-0 draw on Friday. But, aside from soccer, there's also the unavoidable friction between Iran and the US, which has existed between the two countries for the longest time without formal diplomatic relations since 1980. In recent years, the United States has pulled out of its nuclear agreement with Iran and expressed sympathy for feminist protestors facing the government's wrath in Tehran. However, if history is any guide, the focus in Doha on Tuesday will be soccer, not unlike the political chest thumping. Both teams silenced any protesters with a pregame group snap at the 1998 World Cup in France, before they met together in group play. The Iranians even gave white roses to their opponents, setting a tense tone before handing the Americans a 2-1 loss in what remains US Soccer's biggest World Cup loss.