Queiroz calls for unity and fairness after Iran beat Morocco

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Morocco vs Iran - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 15, 2018 Iran players lift coach Carlos Queiroz as they celebrate after the match REUTERS/Henry Romero

ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz made a plea for football to be separated from politics, minutes after his team beat Morocco 1-0 in their first match of the World Cup on Friday.

Iran's preparations have been disrupted by U.S. sanctions against the country, with American sportswear giant Nike refusing to supply equipment to the team and both Greece and Kosovo cancelling friendly matches against them last month.