BERHALTER SORRY FOR FLAG-GATE

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USA IRAN Group B, 7pm

UNITED STATES coach Gregg Berhalter has apologised to Iran for the Flag-gate controversy that has overshadowed their make-or-break game.

Berhalter (right) insisted his players and staff had no idea US Soccer chiefs had decided to post on social media a doctored image of the Iranian flag with the emblem of the Islamic Republic removed.

Reports from Tehran said Iran would urge FIFA to kick out the US over a gesture made in support of human rights protesters in Iran.

After trying to sidestep the issue, Berhalter said: “The players and staff had no idea what US Soccer put out – and sometimes these things are out of your control. We can only apologise on behalf of the players and staff.

“Our thoughts are with the Iranian people – but we must be totally focused on this match.”

In a press conference littered with regrets, Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams (top) was backed into a corner after being criticised over his pronunciation of Iran.

Adams was also asked how, as a black man, he could represent a country that is riddled with racism. “My apologies for my mispronunciation of your country,” said the 23-year-old.

“There is discrimination everywhere you go, but playing abroad has allowed me to assimilate into different cultures. It’s about education – like you have just educated me in how to pronounce the name of your country.”

Iran boss Carlos Queiroz, who demanded BBC pundit Jurgen Klinsmann be removed from his position on FIFA’s technical study group after he criticised his team, refused to comment on his row with the German.

But while Queiroz insisted he would prefer to talk football than politics, his reference to “kids dying in school shootings” will hit a nerve in the States.

He said: “I’ve said many times that our solidarity is with all humanitarian causes, no matter what they are whether that’s human rights or kids dying in school shootings. Events surrounding this World Cup will be a good lesson for us in the future.”