One fan slipped a badge with one of the slogans of the protests — “Woman, life, freedom” — in his shoe to sneak it past stadium security. “I understand people don’t want to make sports about politics, ” said the man, Farzin, who preferred to give only his first name for fear of repercussions, like others who spoke to The New York Times. “But this is about freedom and human rights, it has nothing to do with politics. ”Anti-government protests have broken out across Iran since September, when 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after being arrested on charges of violating a law requiring head coverings for women. Farzin’s two daughters arrived at the match with American colors painted on their faces and wrapped in American flags that covered up T-shirts bearing the Iranian protest slogan.
But maybe he will: He’s trying to jog a little after turning the corner flag onto the touch line. Yup, he wants back in. 29, 2022, 2:07 p. Erin Schaff/The New York TimesHours before Iran faced the United States in a decisive and politically charged World Cup match on Tuesday, Team Melli — the name of Iran’s national soccer team — was trending on Twitter. A win or a draw would send Iran into the knockout round of the tournament for the first time, and even before kickoff a battle was underway over who would get to claim Team Melli’s success.
ET Sarah NirReporting from New YorkDressed in a team jersey, with an American flag scarf around his neck and a stars-and-stripes cowboy hat, Brian Kuchinsky, 26, watching at Legends in Manhattan, said he refused to think about politics: “I don’t think politics matters right now. The only thing that matters to me are three points — and I think the Iranians would say the same thing. 29, 2022, 2:49 p. ET Andrew DasReporting from Qatar45′ + 1 Iran is forced into a sub in added time. Milad Mohammadi, the left back, injured himself on a sideline tangle and can’t continue.
Iran’s federation responded angrily, calling the move deeply insulting and calling on FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, to expel the United States from the World Cup. The two nations had met just once before in a World Cup, in 1998, when Iran prevailed, 2-1, in another politically charged match for its first World Cup victory. That emotional game in the group stage had people dancing in the streets of Tehran. For the regime in Tehran, another victory over the United States on Tuesday would have held immense value, a point of national prestige that it could have claimed as its own.
fans doing their own chant, and I’m hoping they break into the “we’ve got spirit, yes we do” back-and-forth competition next. Patrick T. Fallon/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesNov. 29, 2022, 3:24 p. ET Andrew DasReporting from QatarJust noting here that Adams quietly picked up a yellow card in the first half, which means he will need to be careful now. That’s not trouble for a suspension yet — though Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie and Tim Ream will also want to be careful because they, too, already have one. If they get a second tonight, or if Adams does and gets sent off, they will be suspended for any potential round of 16 match.
The Iranian players held their own against the Americans’ repeated thrusts and, after Pulisic’s goal separated the teams, pushed repeatedly for the tying goal they knew would carry them through. The math on Tuesday was not a secret: England led the group going into its final two games. When England took a lead over Wales in the other game across the city, moving into position to win the group, both Iran and the United States narrowed their eyes and set their sights on second place, and the group’s other place in the knockout rounds.
For more than two months, Iran has been convulsed by protests demanding an end to clerical rule. The demonstrations have cast a shadow over Iran’s matches at the World Cup and upended Team Melli’s traditional role as a force of unity among Iranians amid fierce debate over which Iran the team represents: the entrenched leadership of the Islamic Republic or the protesters who have seized on gestures like the team’s stoic approach to the country’s national anthem. Iranians who are critical of the regime were widely sharing messages on social media on Tuesday, calling for people to take to the streets to celebrate and turn the street party into anti-government protests — a bid to use such a moment to bring greater attention to their movement.
[free] Iran v France live 20 January 2023