World Cup: Iranians in Los Angeles divided on whether to cheer or jeer Iran
Summary
Iranian Americans in Los Angeles have mixed feelings about supporting Iran’s soccer team, Team Melli, in the World Cup. While some view the team as representing the Iranian government and plan protests, others choose to separate politics from sports and want to enjoy the games.Key Facts
- Los Angeles’s Westwood neighborhood has a large Iranian community with strong opposition to Iran’s current government.
- The community displays Iran’s old lion-and-sun flag used before the 1979 revolution, along with images of opposition leader Reza Pahlavi.
- Some Iranian Americans plan to protest Team Melli, seeing the team as linked to the Tehran government.
- Others want to support the players and watch the games without focusing on politics.
- The Trump administration did not allow Iran’s team to stay in the U.S. and made them base in Mexico during the World Cup.
- Iran played matches near the U.S., including two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
- A ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. was agreed upon just as the team arrived, easing some tensions.
- The use of the old Iranian flag at matches is controversial, as FIFA prohibits political symbols in stadiums.
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