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'Beat them on field': Iran wants US banned from FIFA World Cup over flag without Islamic Republic emblem

US Soccer posted an image of Iran’s flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic and showed the flag only bearing its green, white and red colours

AL RAYYAN, QATAR: Iran has called on FIFA to ban US from World Cup 2022 following the United States Soccer Federation's recent social media post. US Soccer reportedly posted an image of Iran’s flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights,” reports Reuters. The image of the Group B standings posted on Saturday, November 26, across US Soccer’s official Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts, and which has now been deleted, showed the Iranian flag only bearing its green, white and red colours.

The removal was in support for the protest in Iran since mid-September, against the hijab and other restrictions on women after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of morality police on September 16. However, Iran state-aligned Tasnim news agency wrote on Twitter on Sunday, November 27, “By posting a distorted image of the flag of the Islamic Republic of #Iran on its official account, the #US football team breached the @FIFAcom charter, for which a 10-game suspension is the appropriate penalty. Team #USA should be kicked out of the #WorldCup2022." On the other hand, US Soccer media official Michael Kammarman said, as quoted by Reuters, "We didn't know anything about the posts but we are supporters of women's rights, we always have been. We're focused a lot on Tuesday and the sporting side as well... but at the same time we're firm believers in women's rights and support them. And we know that it's a lot of difficulties and a lot of heartbreak and in a very disturbing time."

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The removal and the call for a ban got mixed reactions on Twitter. One said, "America has removed the symbol of 'Allah' from the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is disrespectful to our flag. Please stick to your constitution and ban the US national team from ten games according to article 13 of the FIFA regulations!" While another individual pointed out, "Totally. I think also Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iran should be expelled from the WC! Same reasons." Another said, "Why does the US what to bring politics into football. This is a shameful act. I hope they get punished for this."

On the other hand, one user was quick to respond by saying, "So, Iran has asked FIFA to kick the US out of the World Cup. Well, that’s one way to ensure that your team advances." One more commented, "If Iran really wanted to get even they'd beat the US on the field. But, something tells me they're not capable of doing that so they're doing this instead." Another wrote, "Wow, someone is really desperate to not play a soccer game? Are you afraid we'll beat you in a sport 98% of us don't even care about."

The upcoming Group B match between the US and Iran will take place on Tuesday, November 29, at 2 pm ET.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.