Sports
Nike cuts ties with Iran’s World Cup team, citing U.S. sanctions
President Donald Trump’s recent decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and restore heavy economic sanctions on the country is having an effect on an arena beyond politics: the 2018 World Cup.
Nike will be providing the shoes for 60 percent of the World Cup players when they take the field on June 14 in St. Petersburg, Russia, and had offered the shoes to Iran’s national team in the past, as well. This year will now be an exception.
“The sanctions mean that, as a U.S. company, we cannot provide shoes to players in the Iran national team at this time,” Nike said in a statement on Friday to NBC News.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, which is responsible for enforcing financial sanctions on Iran, can charge a person who willfully violates the sanctions with criminal penalties of up to $1 million and 20 years in prison, according to the Department’s website.
American financial institutions can also be “subject to civil penalties of up to the greater of $250,000 or twice the transaction value,” the site says.
Nike’s official statement did not specify what part of the U.S. sanctions supplying shoes would have violated.
This decision by NIke has been met with outrage by the head coach for Iran’s national team, Carlos Queiroz.
“Players get used to their sports equipment, and it’s not right to change them a week before such important matches,” Queiroz told reporters outside the team’s training session in Moscow on Wednesday. The players usually practice with the same shoes they will use in the official games.
Queiroz also called on FIFA, the international association in charge of the games, to address the matter.
“I haven’t gotten clarity on what legal basis [Nike] is using to say this. They should reference what part of the sanctions they are talking about, since technically they’re not selling anything,” said Trita Parsi, the president of the National Iranian American Council.
The reason Nike won’t be providing the shoes is that there is “no general license permitting the transfer of U.S.-origin / owned clothing to Iran,” Richard Nephew, a former director for Iran at the National Security Council and a sanctions expert, told NBC News via email.
“We have such licenses for humanitarian goods and shoes usually don’t count,” Nephew said. The Treasury issues some licenses in order to authorize activities that would otherwise be prohibited with regard to Iran, but Nephew said that Nike’s shoes are likely not covered by these licenses.
He said this has been the United States’ policy since approximately 1995 when the embargo was set up under President Bill Clinton.
However, the Iranian team wore the brand’s shoes during the 2014 World Cup. At that time, Iran was under heavy sanctions imposed by the Obama administration before the nuclear deal was signed in 2015.
Since the 1994 World Cup, Nike has also been representing specific players and providing the official game shoes for more than half of the players in the World Cup.
It’s unclear how Nike’s decision will also affect one of its sponsored players, Swedish-born Saman Ghoddos, a striker for Iran, and if he will be forced to wear another brand. The Washington Post reported that other sponsorships for individuals and teams will not be affected by the decision, and that teams may still allow players to choose their own brands of shoes to wear in competition.
Adidas, a German brand, has had a partnership with FIFA since 1970, and is contracted to sponsor the World Cup until 2030, according to Reuters. It will be providing the jerseys for the Iranian team. The Trump administration has warned Germany and German businesses not to do business with Iran.
Nike did not respond to NBC News’ follow-up questions on the topic. FIFA and Adidas did not respond to NBC News’ requests for comment.
“The type of cultural wars that [Trump] is quite keen on fighting seem to surround the sports world and he has turned the sports world into a political arena,” said Parsi.
Parsi was referring to the president’s battle with NFL players who chose to kneel during the 2017-18 season to protest police brutality against black Americans. Trump has accused the players of being unpatriotic, and this week rescinded his invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles, the 2018 Super Bowl champs, to visit the White House.
Nike’s decision is based on Trump’s decision to withdraw from the joint agreement between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — the U.S., China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom — plus Germany and the European Union.
The official sanctions against Iran are set to kick in less than six months from the president’s decision on May 8 to withdraw from the agreement. Iran’s first World Cup game is against Morocco on June 15.
NBC
The Chairman of the famous Ikoyi Club 1938 Alhaji Tafa Zibiri-Aliu, is set to lead other dignitaries to a golf tournament at the Club to celebrate the former Permanent Secretary and Secretary of Petroleum Chief Philip Asiodu (CON, CFR), who turned 90 years recently.
The Golf Kitty which is invitational, and comes up on Thursday 14th March 2024, at the Golf Section of the Club, will have in attendance the Captain Mr. Tade Adekunle, and other distinguished members playing, according to Dr. Austin Irabor a member of the Club who spoke on behalf of the organizers.
He pointed out that it promises to be a true celebration of excellence at the Ikoyi Club 1938 golf course, as members, veterans, captains of industries, and leaders in government and business amongst others gather at the club’s golf course for the 90th birthday celebration golf kitty in honour of Chief Philip Asiodu, who was also a Chief Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Golf Kitty is scheduled to hold on the 14th of March 2024 as part of the activities for the celebration of Chief Asiodu’s 90th birthday.
Chief Asiodu is the Patriarch of the Asiodu family of Nnikwu village, Umuaji, Asaba, Delta State, and a distinguished senior member, a veteran of the Ikoyi Club, and the Golf section for many decades
Also, speaking on behalf of the family, Ogbueshi Peter Osamgbi noted that “Chief Asiodu’s landmark age attainment comes as a thing of great joy to us, family and friends of the Retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Former Secretary of Petroleum of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chief Economic Adviser to the President, who is also the Izoma of Asaba”
Pointing out that the sporting engagement through golf is a testament to his blessed life and a celebration of one of Nigeria’s revered economists and dedicated public servants.
…As Bauchi fans hail referee Beida for good officiating
Sani Ahmed Toro, former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and ex-member House of Representatives, has commended the Super Eagles’ resilience at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ahmed Toro in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the aftermath of the Super Eagles 1-2 loss to the Elephants, said that the outcome of the match was not a disgrace.
The Super Eagles on Sunday failed to fly past the Elephants at the finals of the AFCON 2023, played at the 34th edition of the game, at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.
Ivorian combative Sebastien Haller, scored the tap in a winning goal to help the hosts 2-1 win over Nigeria.
On-field captain, and Most Valuable Player of the tournament, William Troost-Ekong, with a thumping header as he rose to meet Samuel Chukwueze’s flick-on from a corner, but Franck Kessie equalized just after the hour mark after being left unmarked at the back post from a set piece with another header.
The Ivorians then repeated their comeback strategy as Borussia Dortmund player, Haller, tapped in from Simon Adingra’s cross into the goal.
Ahmed Toro, however, commended the team for their bravery even though most football pundits did not give them a chance.
“The Super Eagles of Nigeria did their best having gone far till the final match. We were not disgraced at the AFCON.
“Some of us expected them to win, but the game did not go our way. The Federal Government of Nigeria has done its part, so also the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to motivate the team.
“In all, it was a good fight from the Super Eagles, because this was against all odds or expectations. For every sports-loving Nigerian, we wanted a victory.
“The Super Eagles deserve our commendation, so I congratulate them,” he said.
Ahmed Toro also said it was time for the Eagles to start thinking about the World Cup qualifications.
“We now have to go back to the drawing board and make sure that we qualify for the World Cup, we should focus on that.
“Going forward, we must make sure that we qualify for the World Cup because AFCON is over now, this is the right time for us to put our house in order,” he said.
In another development, the football fans in Bauchi State have praised referee Dahane Beida, of Mauritania, for good officiating during the Cote d’Ivoire finals win over Nigeria, at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire beat Nigeria’s Super Eagles to capture the African crown, they came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1, to win the AFCON 2023 title on Sunday, Feb. 11.
Some football fans in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at midnight on Monday in Bauchi, lauded the officiating referee for unbiased officiating.
Mr Adamu Imam, a football fan, said the referee was composed and focused while officiating the match.
“The Mauritanian referee has put in his best to see that the game was perfectly coordinated, without much argument and fewer yellow cards issued.
“So, I must commend his professionalism at the 2023 AFCON finals.”
Nasiru Ibrahim, a sports commentator, said the match was neat and was well-officiated by the referee.
“The referee has done well,” he said.
Ibrahim, however, said that the Super Eagles coach made some mistakes.
“It was unexpected, and I am devastated. I am hoping to be able to bear the pain of the loss,” he added.
A sports writer, Jennifer Emmanuel, said the referee knew his job, “as a referee, he was impartial to the two teams”.
“There was no sentiment nor bias in officiating the finals, he deserves commendation,” she said.
According to her, I feel bad but we accept everything in good fate, that’s football for you, Congratulations to Côte d’Ivoire .
“They played like patriots. no matter what happened tonight maximum respect to the super eagles,” Jennifer said with a salute.
Another Sports Enthusiast, Abubakar Waziri, however, noted that while officiating the match, the Mauritanian referee made some mistakes, adding that “it is the beauty of the game”.
“The Super Eagles played more of a defensive game, instead of attacking at the beginning of the match.
“There was much pressure on the defence because our midfield was not well coordinated, this put pressure on the defense,” he said.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday in Bouake qualified for the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), after defeating South Africa in a pulsating semi-final clash.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match played at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake, was decided on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes of tension-soaked encounter.
The match started on a fast pace, with the South Africans dominating play but was pegged back by the resilient Nigerian defence, Marshalled by Captain William Troost-Ekong.
The cagey first half ended goalless, despite the forays by both teams.
But in the second half, Nigeria took the lead after Victor Osimhen was fouled inside the 18-yard box.
Ekong stepped up to put the Eagles one goal up.
However, late in the game, substitute Alhassan Yusuf gave away a penalty, which Teboho Mokoena tucked away.
The match was eventually decided on penalties, with Nigeria winning 4-2 after a nervy shoot-out.
Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty as Nigeria booked their place in the final, sparking a wild celebration in the stadium.
Nigeria will now face the winners of the Cote d’Ivoire vs DR Congo match in Sunday’s final.
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