Iran’s State Tax Agency has banned 300 athletes, including a number bound for the Olympics, from leaving the country for non-payment of taxes.
State television reported Sunday, “With just 67 days to go before the London Olympics, the State Tax Agency has published a list of 300 athletes and coaches, some of whom have qualified for the Olympics, announcing that since their tax arrears exceed 10 million rials (about $600), they cannot leave the country under the law.”
The news report said the treasurer of the National Olympic Committee, who was not named, had pledged to pay up any back taxes so the athletes could make it to London. It was not clear, however, if the National Olympic Committee had the legal authority to use its funds to pay off an individual’s back taxes.
Earlier, President Ahmadi-nejad said he was eager to attend the Olympics to show his support for the country’s athletes but that the British authorities had “problems” with the thought of hosting him.
He didn’t explain what that meant. It wasn’t known if he had applied for a visa and been rejected. Iran has said nothing more about this in the week since Ahmadi-nejad spoke out. And Britain has made no comment.
Last November, the Iranian authorities allowed a mob to overrun the British embassy. Britain closed the embassy down after that, and relations have been very sour ever since.