Many Iranian fans attending the World Cup match between Iran and New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles waved the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag in the stands, according to reports on Iranian Telegram channels. No disruptions occurred despite Iran's sports minister having threatened to halt the match if any non-Iranian flag was displayed.
Many Iranian fans attending the World Cup match between Iran and New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday waved the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag, according to reports on Iranian Telegram channels. The flag, emblem of the former Iranian monarchy, has become a symbol of opposition to the Islamic Republic among the diaspora. Iran's sports minister, Ahmad Daniamali, had stated prior to the match that if any flag other than the Islamic Republic's was displayed, team officials should demand a halt. The match proceeded without interruption.
The incident continues a pattern of diaspora political expression at the tournament. Earlier, Iranian fans at the same stadium booed the regime's national anthem before kickoff, as The Zioneer reported on Tuesday. Other reports during the tournament documented the monarchy-era flag's appearance at a World Cup match in Qatar as well. The 2-2 draw with New Zealand was Iran's opening match of the group stage.
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