6/8/2006
AFP

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN – Iran's coach insisted his team were under no extra pressure from the Tehran government as politics continued to dog preparations for their crucial World Cup opener.

Branko Ivankovic also said controversy over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's views on the Holocaust was not distracting his players ahead of Sunday's match with Mexico in the former Nazi bastion of Nuremberg.

"They're young people, they don't think about politics," he said.

"As a coach, the players don't have any pressure from the government about results or about political things.

"They want, just as any other people in Iran, that the players give their heart on the field and to be really honest and proud of their performance and be a good example for young people in Iran."

Iran's football-mad president, who wore the national shirt when he joined a training session in March, has urged the team to bring glory to the country in their third World Cup.

But Iran's presence here has caused a stir with EU lawmakers calling for it to be kicked out over its nuclear programme.

A possible visit by Ahmadinejad, who has described the Holocaust as a "myth", has prompted consternation in Germany where Holocaust denial is illegal.

Ivankovic said it would be "normal" for top leaders to attend if Iran make it through the group stage. Vice President Mohammed Aliabadi has been given a visa and is expected to watch the match in Nuremberg.

"If we qualify for the second stage I think it's normal that somebody comes to watch," he said. "At any World Cup, presidents and prime ministers come to watch their teams."

Key midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia, a veteran of Iran's 1998 World Cup win over "Great Satan" the United States, said the team was doing its best to ignore politics.

"We're just paying attention to the sports aspect, we're trying just to do our job," he said, adding that he would welcome a visit by Ahmadinejad.

"It's a pleasure for every player if the president of his country watches the national team play," Mahdavikia said.

Neo-Nazi groups are expected to march in support of Iran during their June 21 match against Angola in Leipzig, adding to the controversy surrounding the team.

But Iran has received a warm welcome in this southern German tourist town. More than 1,000 supporters, many chanting and banging drums, packed the tiny Zeppelinstadion for a public training session on Wednesday.

Some 5,000 had turned up two days earlier to watch a 5-0 warm-up win against a regional team.

"They're really friendly towards the people. At first they thought because of the political things there will be some difficulties, but there's been no problems," said Luitgard Lohr-Chavoshi, who is married to an Iranian and watched the training session with their two children.

"Everybody's afraid the president will arrive in Germany, that's the only problem," said the 45-year-old primary school teacher.

Iran's match against Mexico is seen as vital to their chances of progressing from Group D, which also contains Portugal and Angola.