Nike calls back Iran's official World Cup boots due to U.S. sanctions

Nike has backed out as the Iranian national team's boot supplier just days before the World Cup, citing active U.S. sanctions against the Gulf nation.

In a statement obtained by ESPN FC's Sam Borden, the sports manufacturer said: "U.S. sanctions mean that, as a U.S. company, Nike cannot supply shoes to players in the Iranian national team at this time."

However, there's controversy in the timing of Nike's decision. Pre-existing sanctions against Iran didn't stop the company from providing boots to the national team before.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, which oversees all economic sanctions by the Trump Administration, states that any person who violates these provisions could incur a €1-million penalty and a 20-year prison sentence.

Nike has yet to confirm why Iran's boots deal is a violation.

Some Iranian players have simply gone out to buy their own boots, Borden reports, while others have asked friends to loan a few pairs.

Iran, which will play in its fifth World Cup in Russia, faces Morocco on Friday.