In a match that has shaken the 2024 Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan, accusations of match-fixing between Iran and France have ignited a storm of controversy. The two teams faced off in their final group-stage game, but instead of a competitive display, both sides appeared more interested in avoiding victory, an act seen as a deliberate attempt to influence their path in the tournament. Iran won the match 4-1, but the fallout from their apparent collusion with France has been swift and harsh.
The match, now labeled as a “scandal,” has drawn widespread criticism from fellow competitors, sports analysts, and even legends of the sport. As the final group-stage game, the stakes were high. The winner would secure a spot at the top of their group but would then have to face Morocco, a powerhouse and reigning African champion, in the next round. A victory over Morocco would likely set up a quarterfinal clash against Brazil, the most successful team in futsal history. In contrast, the runner-up would face a comparatively easier path, starting with Thailand, followed by the winner of Paraguay-Afghanistan. It is this strategic consideration that allegedly led both teams to try to avoid winning.
From the start, the match raised eyebrows. In a lackluster first half, France took only four shots at Iran’s goal, while Iran attempted just six shots on the French goal. The goalless first half added fuel to suspicions, with both teams seemingly going through the motions without any real intent to score.
The second half did little to dispel the growing sense of unease. When Iran finally scored, it was not due to brilliant play, but rather what appeared to be a conscious effort by the French goalkeeper to concede. Iran went on to win 4-1, but instead of a celebratory atmosphere, the match became a flashpoint for criticism from all corners.
OUTRAGE ACROSS THE FUTSAL WORLD
The reaction from the international futsal community was immediate and severe. Ricardo Iniguez, head coach of Libya’s national futsal team, which had already been eliminated from the tournament, did not mince words, taking to social media to call the match “a disgrace to our sport.” He was joined by Miguel Rodrigo, head coach of Thailand, who expressed his disgust in even stronger terms, writing: “You should never set foot in a futsal court again. You represent everything that goes against fair play and the values of an elite athlete. You should blush in shame when you hear your national anthem again.”
“Why people laugh at us.”
Rodrigo’s comments were echoed by other prominent figures in the sport. Argentina’s national coach, Matías Lucuix, offered his support, while Croatian futsal star Dario Marinović commented, “Watch the Iran-France game to understand why people laugh at us.” The widespread condemnation of the match has tarnished the reputations of both teams and raised serious questions about sportsmanship at the highest level of competition.
Amid the international backlash, the Iranian Football Federation quickly announced plans to file a formal complaint against Rodrigo for what it called “unprofessional and inappropriate” remarks, citing FIFA’s disciplinary code. However, the federation’s response has done little to quell the outcry, with many calling for an investigation into both teams’ conduct during the match.
FUTSAL UNDER PRESSURE
The global futsal community is now looking to FIFA to take action. While the governing body has yet to issue an official statement, there are reports that it is investigating the match, which has been described in headlines worldwide as a “scandal” and “embarrassment” to the sport. Should the allegations of match-fixing be proven, it could lead to significant disciplinary action against both the Iranian and French football federations. FIFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committees will be tasked with determining the extent of the wrongdoing and issuing appropriate sanctions.
Adding fuel to the fire, futsal legend Falcão publicly criticized the match, focusing his ire on Iranian player Salar Aghapour. Falcão posted sarcastic comments on social media, accusing France of allowing Iran to score easily and mockingly referring to Aghapour’s free kick as an “open highway.” His comments have further amplified the scandal, with his vast fanbase lending additional weight to the calls for accountability.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the 2024 Futsal World Cup is now overshadowed by this growing scandal. What should have been a celebration of the sport has instead turned into a spectacle of poor sportsmanship and a test of FIFA’s resolve to uphold the integrity of the game. All eyes are on FIFA as the futsal world awaits its next move, knowing that the future of both Iran and France in this tournament—and possibly beyond—hangs in the balance.
