The United States Soccer Federation replaced Iran’s flag on its social media platforms to indicate support for Iranian demonstrators. Meanwhile, the Iranian official media has demanded that the US be expelled from the 2022 World Cup.
Without the Islamic Republic’s logo, the federation had momentarily flown the Iranian flag on its official Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook profiles.
By posting a distorted image of the flag of the Islamic Republic of #Iran on its official account, the #US football team breached the @FIFAcom charter, for which a 10-game suspension is the appropriate penalty.
Team #USA should be kicked out of the #WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/c8I4i4z3Tv— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) November 27, 2022
The sole colors of the Iranian flag were green, white, and red in a now-deleted image of the Group B standings that was posted on Saturday.
What changes did the US Soccer Federation make to Iran’s flag?
US Soccer told CNN that it had always intended to return to the original flag after changing it for a 24-hour period. Eventually, it was done to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.”
US Soccer informed CNN that the modification “was a one-time graphic. Our website and other sites have the main flag.” However, on US Soccer’s social media outlets, the logo is currently repositioned on the flag.
Win and you go through. Don’t and you go home.
United States will reach the last 16 of the World Cup if they beat Iran on Tuesday 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0yDo70TFYb
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 25, 2022
The US State Department told CNN, “We look forward to a peaceful and competitive match on the field. The United States continues to find ways to support the Iranian people in the face of state-sponsored violence against women and a brutal crackdown against peaceful protestors.”
The choice to use or remove the incorrect flag was not made with the participation of the US team’s athletes or coach Gregg Berhalter.
Iran criticized the selection of the improper flag, which it claimed went against FIFA rules.
Requests for comment on the controversy were not immediately answered by FIFA. However, it is doubtful that FIFA will step in during the competition.
Iran wants the US kicked out of the World Cup
A spokesman for the Iranian soccer federation demanded that the US be kicked out of the World Cup due to social media posts that the federation claimed “disrespected” Iran’s flag.
Iran are calling for USA to be kicked out of the tournament! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/NFDLXZzWFg
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) November 28, 2022
According to Iranian official media, the United States should be immediately disqualified from the competition and suspended for 10 games.
Iran’s presence on the field, however, has already garnered attention. Fans who arrive at matches carrying Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag have been informed that it is not permitted inside stadiums.
Meanwhile, Iran’s players have received praise and criticism for refusing to sing their national anthem at their opening game. However, before reluctantly doing so, they returned and sang their national anthem on matchday 2.
In a game with high stakes and political repercussions, Iran and the United States will face off on Tuesday. If there is a loss, the loser will likely be removed from the tournament.
