Nike withdraws supply of football boots to Iran team

Famous sportswear brand Nike has withdrawn its supply of football boots to Iran team for the World Cup in Russia due to the new United States sanctions.

Last month, US President Donald Trump re-imposed economic sanctions on Iran after withdrawing from the nuclear deal between the Middle East nation and the US European allies after labeling the agreement 'decaying and rotten' and 'an embarrassment'.

Following the announcement, a number of leading companies have suspended their activities in Iran and Nike is one of them. The sportswear giant is under an agreement with Iran’s national team for kit for the upcoming World Cup in Russia.

“US sanctions mean that as a US company, Nike cannot supply shoes to players in the Iranian national team at this time,” a statement read. “Sanctions applicable to Nike have been in place for many years and are enforceable by law.”

Had Nike gone through with supplying the Iranian team with football boots, they could have faced substantial fines under the US Department of the Treasury’s regulations.

The current Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz, who worked with Sir Alex Ferguson as his assistant at Manchester United and also led the Portugal national team to the 2010 World Cup, has issued a plead for help to FIFA after being left in serious trouble on the eve of the tournament.