Protests and rainbow flags as Egypt v Iran passes without incident in Seattle | OneFootball

Egypt and Iran drew 1-1 in Seattle on Friday in the final Group G fixture, a match framed by protests and Pride weekend colours yet played without incident.

L'Équipe notes the Seattle organisers had billed it a Pride match, a label FIFA declined to use.

Hours before kick-off, Pioneer Square and the cobbled streets to Lumen Field became the epicentre of demonstrations.

LGBTQ+ stalls dotted the route. Opponents of Iran’s Islamic Republic waved the former national flag, while pro-Palestine and pro-Lebanon voices criticised Israel’s policy alongside anti-Trump activists and evangelists preaching amid Quran and Bible stalls.

Inside, Egyptian and Iranian supporters mixed with spectators wearing rainbow colours, and no incidents were evident. FIFA had said such flags were allowed under its regulations, and some appeared in the stands.

A single, shared boo greeted Iran’s anthem before kick-off. Once under way, the match only sparked in the opening five and final five minutes as each end roared on its team.

Backed by a sizeable diaspora from across the United States, Iran nearly nicked it late, with a goal ruled out at 90+3 and the crossbar struck at 90+6. Outside afterwards, one placard urged more sport and fewer wars.

Source: L'Équipe