Iranian political scientist files $1 billion lawsuit against FIFA over Iran’s World Cup Exit

Lotfolah Kaveh Afrasiabi, an Iranian-American political scientist and former adviser to Iran’s nuclear negotiating team during the Obama administration, has filed a $1 billion lawsuit in Boston federal court against FIFA, President Gianni Infantino, and unnamed officials.

The complaint, submitted on Tuesday, seeks class-action status on behalf of up to 91 million Iranian nationals and Iranian-Americans.

The suit centers on Iran’s 1-1 draw against Egypt on June 26, in Group G of the FIFA World Cup. In stoppage time, defender Shoja Khalilzadeh scored what appeared to be a winning goal, which would have advanced Iran to the knockout stage.

VAR review ruled the goal offside by a narrow margin, leading to Egypt’s qualification and Iran’s eventual elimination after failing to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

Afrasiabi alleges the offside decision was erroneous and “deliberately designed” to deprive Iran of victory, citing “clear and incontrovertible” evidence of a mistaken call.

The lawsuit accuses FIFA of applying a “double standard, hypocrisy, and outright discrimination” toward the Iranian team.

The filing highlights broader challenges faced by Iran’s squad, including travel restrictions, visa issues, and relocation from Arizona to Mexico amid US-Iran tensions, which allegedly contributed to player fatigue.

Afrasiabi claims these factors, combined with the VAR ruling, caused significant emotional harm to supporters.

Afrasiabi, a Massachusetts resident who was pardoned as part of a 2023 prisoner swap and previously accused by US authorities of acting as an unregistered agent for Tehran (which he denies), is representing himself.

In statements to media, he described the $1 billion demand as “very generous.”