Iran Threatens to Walk Off FIFA World Cup Matches
Iran has warned FIFA it will exercise its right to halt matches if hate speech, unauthorized flags, or chants against the national team occur in stadiums. Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said FIFA has been formally notified that the team manager will act to stop play under such circumstances.Iran plays New Zealand on June 15, Belgium…
Iran has warned FIFA it will exercise its right to halt matches if hate speech, unauthorized flags, or chants against the national team occur in stadiums. Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said FIFA has been formally notified that the team manager will act to stop play under such circumstances.
Iran plays New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21 (both in Los Angeles), and Egypt in Seattle on June 26 in Group G. Iran and Egypt had also requested FIFA disallow LGBTQ+ Pride-related activities during the Seattle match, which organizers had dubbed a “Pride Match” coinciding with Seattle’s Pride Weekend.
In April, protesters outside the FIFA Congress in Vancouver had called for Iran’s expulsion from the World Cup, arguing the team represents state institutions rather than the Iranian public.
