All Whites' Iran tour rated safe

New Zealand Soccer officials have been assured that it is safe for the All Whites to travel to Iran next month for a one-off game between the Oceania and Asian champions.

The Iran clash – now confirmed for October 12 – was put on the backburner earlier this year because of unrest in the Middle East, related to the war in Iraq, and the All Whites' Confederations Cup commitments in France.

But New Zealand Soccer (NZS) is now satisfied that the All Whites' safety is not at risk in the Middle East. "We've got clearance from the (New Zealand) Government that the attitude towards Westerners in Iran isn't an issue at the moment," NZS chief executive Bill MacGowan said yesterday.

"If that changes in the next few weeks it will be reviewed."

The Iran exchange was originally set to be a home and away series in Auckland last March, with the return leg in Teheran in early April. But NZS had agreed to a one-off game in Iran, MacGowan said. "Given the problems we have had in scheduling this fixture, we agreed to a one-off away match.

"This allows for the least disruption to players and their clubs after what has already been a busy international season with Confederations Cup commitments."

MacGowan acknowledged the scrapping of the proposed home game "probably isn't" ideal for New Zealand soccer fans.

But it would be difficult to secure releases for European and United States-based players with their club seasons in full swing. Players could be away for "14 or 15 days" and "miss two or three games for their clubs" if required for a home and away series. "We are looking at player welfare and club place security issues."

The All Whites have not played a full international in New Zealand since their 1-0 win over Australia in the Oceania Nations Cup final in July last year.

But MacGowan said the New Zealand public would see the All Whites in action in the future, despite talk that some "home" games could be staged in England. Some All Whites will be involved in the Olympic (under-23) qualifying series in January, but no full internationals have been confirmed for New Zealand venues before the 2004 Oceania Nations Cup tournament next June.

"We have still got reciprocation agreements with Poland and Estonia (after playing them in Europe earlier this year)."

MacGowan said financial risk was not a factor in staging soccer internationals here. Games against "high calibre" opponents would be viable.

But, with an estimated "80 to 90 per cent" of All Whites playing for northern hemisphere clubs, it was "logistically quite difficult" to assemble squads for games in New Zealand.

Every A-team international counts towards Fifa world rankings and NZS's policy was to field "the best squad available".

If the All Whites could stay in the top 70, it would make it easier for New Zealand players to secure work permits to take up professional contracts overseas, MacGowan said.

The All Whites are ranked 63rd – dropping three places after their disastrous Confederations Cup finals campaign in France in June. Iran is 47th and is the third highest-ranked team in Asia behind Japan and South Korea.