Now that his friend is president of the United States, Zampolli is Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships.
In that position, he advocates that Italy go to the World Cup instead of Iran, if that national team is disqualified due to the war in the Middle East.
Italy was eliminated in the final of the additional qualifiers for the World Cup against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Iran won the World Cup as the group winner.
Zampolli spoke about it on Italian state radio RAI:
“What’s the percentage for Italy to go to the World Cup? I think it’s more than 50 percent. I’ll be meeting FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Miami at the Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend. There should be no World Cup without Italy, and the decision will be up to Infantino and Trump.”
Trump’s special envoy added: “Iran has not yet been confirmed as a World Cup participant because of the war. I asked Infantino about the possibility of Italy being added later. Also, visas for the US are very difficult to get, and we don’t want people there who might do something wrong. If you are sending people who are not welcome in the United States, they better not come.
Trump’s response? I haven’t spoken to him directly yet. Iranian players are very, very welcome, but Secretary of State Rubio has made it clear that they cannot bring in people who are not suitable for the US. If Iran doesn’t participate, I don’t know if we’re ready to put someone in their place, but anything can happen.”
(Vijesti.ba)
