Football World Cup 2022: US association shows Iran's flag without the sign of the Islamic Republic

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The US Soccer Association posted this standings on social media

Photo: Instagram/AP

The boundaries between sport and politics have seldom blurred at the World Cup in Qatar.

In addition to the host, Iran in particular is in the public eye.

Now, before the sportingly and politically explosive group game between the USA and Iran, the US association has shown the opponent's national flag on Twitter without the symbol of the Islamic Republic.

Only the colors green, white and red can be seen there, the emblem in the middle is missing.

Such a flag display could also be seen in other networks.

Between the two teams, the round of 16 ticket is at stake on Tuesday.

England lead Group B with four points, followed by Iran (3), USA (2) and Wales (1).

A win would mean entry into the knockout rounds for both teams.

The Iranian flag can be seen in different versions at this World Cup.

Both the version of the Islamic Republic and that of the lion and the sun, the emblem of former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, have been waved in Qatar.

Every action taken by the Iranian national team is closely monitored by the regime and opponents of the regime.

At the start of the World Cup against England, the internationals remained silent during the anthem in protest.

This gesture was celebrated by opponents of the Iranian regime, sometimes ignored and sometimes harshly criticized by the Islamic dictatorship in Tehran.

Before the second game against Wales, the players sang along to the anthem, or at least moved their lips.

Opponents of the regime and many experts assume that after the collective refusal before the first game, pressure was exerted on the players.

There has long been serious political tension between the United States and Iran.

Recently, international criticism of the republic on the Persian Gulf has increased.

For several weeks, tens of thousands have been demonstrating in Iran against the repressive course of the government and the Islamic Republic.

The protests have become one of the biggest stress tests for the country's leadership since the founding of the state.

The nationwide protests were triggered by the death of the Iranian Kurd Jina Mahsa Amini in mid-September.

She died in police custody after being arrested for breaking Islamic dress codes.

Again and again, the state power had taken action against well-known activists and celebrities who showed solidarity with the protests.

According to estimates by human rights activists, around 18,000 demonstrators have already been arrested.

svs/dpa