Anger in Iran: ‘FIFA kicks U.S. out of World Cup’
New controversy over Tehran Federation’s targeting of a social post
More controversy at the World Cup: a social post by the U.S. national team has sparked anger from Iran, which is reportedly ready to seek action from FIFA.
On Twitter, the United States posted a Group B graphic featuring the U.S. selection with England, Iran and Wales: the Tehran team’s flag is presented with the usual green white and red horizontal bands, but without the Islamic Republic symbol.
The United States explained its desire to change the flag with “the purpose of showing support for women in Iran who are fighting for basic human rights.”
The Tasnim News Agency, a media outlet close to the regime, called for the disqualification of the U.S. from the competition. “By posting a distorted image of the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran on its official account, the U.S. soccer team violated FIFA’s statute of 10-match suspension, the appropriate sanction. The U.S. team should be expelled from the World Cup.” Iran and the United States will play each other on Tuesday in the decisive match of the round.
