Fifa’s Futsal World Cup has been engulfed in controversy, with coaches alleging match-fixing after a significant defeat for France against Iran. Rival teams have voiced their discontent over the French team's performance in their 4-1 loss, a result that potentially eased France's path through the tournament in Uzbekistan.
Ricardo Iñiguez, the head coach of Libya, who were eliminated in the group stage, took to X to express his outrage, calling the match a 'disgrace' for the sport. 'Libya is going to file an official complaint in relation to this match for 'match fixing', it is a disgrace for our sport,' Iñiguez wrote, before sharing criticism from other influential figures in the sport.
Concerns were raised on social media during the match, which saw the losing team progress to face Thailand in the round of 16. The winner, meanwhile, would face the current African futsal champions Morocco, followed by a potential quarter-final against perennial champions Brazil.
In another X post, Miguel Rodrigo, the Thailand coach, welcomed the prospect of facing France 'with open arms', but also condemned both teams as 'a world disgrace' who had 'dishonoured my sport'. Video footage shared by Rodrigo appears to show French goalkeeper Thibaut Garros deliberately moving away from the ball in the lead-up to Iran's opening goal. France managed only six shots on goal throughout the entire match, scoring a consolation goal after Iran had already secured a 4-0 lead.
Both the French Football Federation and the Iranian Football Federation have been approached for comment.
