Iran calls for US to be kicked out of 2022 World Cup after it changes Iran flag on social media to show support for protesters | CNN
and security at the event favored the pro Iran group and forced people to remove any persian flags and even scrub written names/slogans off of their bodies. pro Iranian thugs were crowding, cursing, filming, anti-gubmnt protestors with no control from Qatari security
but they stood and sang this week. A message was sent and the best Iranian soccer player who wasn't allowed on team was arrested in Iran after supporting protestors Iranian soccer player arrested amid World Cup scrutiny | AP News Iran arrested a prominent former member of its national soccer team on Thursday over his criticism of the government as authorities grapple with nationwide protests that have cast a shadow over its competition at the World Cup. The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported that Voria Ghafouri was arrested for “insulting the national soccer team and propagandizing against the government.” Ghafouri, who was not chosen to go to the World Cup, has been an outspoken critic of Iranian authorities throughout his career. He objected to a longstanding ban on women spectators at men’s soccer matches as well as Iran’s confrontational foreign policy, which has led to crippling Western sanctions. More recently, he expressed sympathy for the family of a 22-year-old woman whose death while in the custody of Iran’s morality police ignited the latest protests. In recent days he also called for an end to a violent crackdown on protests in Iran’s western Kurdistan region.
Gonna be a hot and nasty match today between Iran and US. I’m guessing it’ll look ugly, lots of fouls and several yellows. The ref for this match could never be paid enough.
Is Iran known for aggressive play? Posted elsewhere but it has been reported that the families of the players were threatened with imprisonment and torture if the players did not behave properly. Not sure how that will impact their desire to play hard or if the players are against the US as much as the regime is. This is an excellent opportunity for the US team to show their solidarity with the people in Iran. DO something, even if just taking a knee. I do wonder if the pregame will be shown in Iran
When a match is set up where if either team wins, they go through to the next round ….you will get an aggressive game. The US Federation changing the Iran flag before the game is extra fuel and possibly locker room fire. Seems like a lot at stake in the game and I’m betting it will not be pretty. Mexico vs Argentina was also ugly because Argentina needed the win.
I don't think the Iranian players care about the flag thing considering they protested their own anthem.
Kids Musah turns 20 today. Adams is the youngest captain at the Cup, and the youngest US captain since 1950.
I hope we stay aggressive until we get a 2nd goal. I dont want to sit on the lead and play conservative and have a repeat of the Wales game.
Feel for Iranian players. Likely thinking in the back of their minds they will be arrested once they get home.
