Vahid Shamsaei: I did not accept American citizenship
The head coach of the national futsal team said that in 2000, I was offered to become a U.S. citizen, but I rejected it because I love Iran and Iranians.
Vahid Shamsaei, the head coach of Iran’s national futsal team, regarding the asylum of Iranian athletes, said I am never in others’ shoes and do not give opinions; I can only judge myself. In 2000, I was offered U.S. citizenship, but because I love Iran and its people, I did not accept it. Let me say clearly, I love Tehran; I grew up in this city and I love it. When I was in Italy, they gave me a 5-year residency card, then a 10-year one, and after that, it would have been permanent residency, but because I love Iran and its people, I didn’t even pursue renewing it. Many told me I made a mistake, but I did not make any mistake, and as I said, I love Iran and its people.
