Hundreds of Iran fans stage protest prior to World Cup clash with New Zealand | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

Hundreds of Iranian football fans protested outside the Los Angeles Stadium prior to their World Cup match against New Zealand.

At least 200 protesters comprising of the United States’ Iranian diaspora arrived to express their anger at FIFA’s decision to ban the pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag in addition to “banners, apparel, and any other paraphernalia” depicting it from being brought into host stadiums.

The flag, seen as a symbol for Iran’s nationals living abroad who oppose the Islamic Republic, was prominent among the tens of flags held aloft by the protesters that had gathered in a politically-charged scene on the west coast of America.

Arezo Rashidian, an activist aiding the demonstration in Los Angeles, told BBC Sport: “You don’t come to Los Angeles and tell us we can’t fly the Lion and Sun flag.

“This is the largest Iranian community outside of Iran Many of us came here after the revolution. We’re opposing FIFA’s ban and standing in solidarity with the people of Iran.”

FIFA cited its Stadium Code of Conduct in exercising the ban in June, which prohibits political symbols. The ban has already triggered multiple lawsuits in California challenging its legality.

One supporter, pictured in this article’s feature image, wore a t-shirt depicting Reza Pahlavi, the Iranian political activist and son of the country’s last shah (King), prior to the revolution that overthrew the monarchy in 1979.

Pahlavi is himself a symbol of monarchism for Iranians who oppose the current government that presides over Iran following its transition to an Islamic Republic as a result of the revolution.

The 65-year-old is currently living in exile in the United States after being left stateless following the disappearance of the rule held by his late father, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.

It comes as America’s President Donald Trump claimed that a peace deal to agree a ceasefire in the US-Israel war with Iran and the reopening of the Straight of Hormuz are both close.

“It’s unfortunate that the regime turns athletes into mouthpieces,” Rashidian added. “We want athletes to remain athletes.”

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