Iranian players did not sing their country's anthem in Qatar 1:00
(CNN) --
Iran's state media called for the United States to be thrown out of the 2022 World Cup after the US Soccer Federation changed Iran's flag on its social media platforms to show its support for Iran. protesters in the country.
The federation had temporarily displayed Iran's national flag on its official Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts without the emblem of the Islamic Republic.
A now-deleted Group B qualifying graphic released on Saturday showed the Iranian flag in just its green, white and red colors.
US Soccer told CNN on Sunday that it wanted to change the official flag for 24 hours to show "support for women in Iran fighting for basic human rights," but always planned to go back to the original flag.
A screenshot from the US soccer federation showing the national flag of Iran on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic.
(Credit: Instagram/AP)
The change "was a one-time graph," US Soccer told CNN.
“We have the main banner on our website and in other places.”
Currently, the emblem is back on the flag on US Soccer's social media channels.
Iran's state media reported on Sunday that the United States should be immediately expelled from the tournament and suspended for 10 games for a "distorted image" of the country's flag.
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"By posting a distorted image of the flag of the Islamic Republic of #Iran on their official account, the #USA soccer team breached @FIFAcom bylaws, therefore a 10-game suspension is the appropriate sanction. "Tasnim news agency, aligned with the State of Iran, wrote on Twitter on Sunday. "The #USA team should be expelled from the #WorldCup2022."
FIFA has not responded to CNN's request for comment.
Carlos Queiroz, coach of Iran's men's soccer team, says players can protest at the World Cup by complying with FIFA regulations
Iran and the United States meet on Tuesday in a crucial Group B game. The US is bound to win if they want to advance to the knockout stages.
Iran appears in this World Cup under the shadow of internal turmoil.
The head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has said the country is in a "full-blown human rights crisis" as authorities crack down on dissidents who oppose the regime.
The protests, which experts refer to as the largest since the establishment of the clerical government after the 1979 Iranian revolution, and violence have rocked Iran in recent months and threatened the very nature of the country's regime, which has been in power for over 40 years.
The protests were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died after being detained by Iran's morality police, allegedly for failing to comply with the country's conservative dress code.
Iranian security forces have unleashed a violent response.
Klinsmann's comments called "outrageous"
Qatar 2022: the voices calling for the suspension of Iran 1:21
The latest controversy comes after a day of trouble before the two Group B teams clash in Doha at the Al Thumama Stadium.
US Soccer's decision came the same day that former US Men's National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said he will try to speak with Iran coach Carlos Queiroz to "calm things down" after Klinsmann's comments on Iran's culture were called "outrageous remarks."
Following Iran's 2-0 win over Wales on Friday, Klinsmann discussed Iran's attitude towards the game of football, coached by Queiroz, during a BBC roundtable.
“That is their culture and that is their way of doing it and that is why Carlos Queiroz fits very well in the Iranian team,” Klinsmann said.
“He fought in South America.
He failed with Colombia to qualify, then failed with Egypt to qualify as well and then he came back just before the World Cup now and guides Iran, where he already worked for a long, long time.
“This is not by chance.
This is all on purpose.
This is just part of their culture.
That's how they play it and that's how the referee works.
You saw the bench always jumping, always working the fourth, the linesmen and the fourth official on the sidelines, constantly in their ears.
They are constantly in your face on the pitch."
The 1990 World Cup winner continued: "This is their culture and they make you lose focus and they make you lose concentration and what's really important to you."
On Saturday, Queiroz responded to Klinsmann in a series of tweets.
Germany players protest "freedom of expression" at the World Cup
"Even without knowing me personally, you question my character with a typical judgment of superiority," Queiroz wrote.
“No matter how much I may respect what you did on the pitch, those comments about Iran's culture, the Iran team and my players are a disgrace to football.
No one can harm our integrity if they are not at our level, of course."
Queiroz added: “As an American/German, we understand your lack of support.
No problem.
And despite your outrageous comments on the BBC that try to undermine our efforts, sacrifices and skills, we promise you that we will not pass any judgment regarding your culture, roots and background and that you will always be welcome in our Family."
The Iran Football Federation, in a statement, demanded Klinsmann apologize and resign from his position in the Qatar 2022 Technical Study Group with FIFA.
Iran said it has asked FIFA for "immediate clarification on this matter."
CNN has reached out to FIFA for comment, but has not received a response by press time.
This Sunday, Klinsmann said on BBC Breakfast: “There were things that were really taken out of context.
I'll try to call him and calm things down.
I have never criticized Carlos or the Iranian bench.
Some even thought that he was criticizing the referee because he didn't do anything about the way they were behaving on the bench.
“All I described was his emotional way of doing things, which in a way is admirable.
The entire bench lives the game.
They are jumping up and down and Carlos is a very emotional trainer.
He is constantly on the sidelines trying to give his players all his energy and direction."
The federation invited Klinsmann to visit the Team Melli Camp in Doha and "for a conference on the ancient Persian culture and the values of football and sport."
SoccerIranWorld Cup Qatar 2022United States National Team
