Iran’s World Cup opener exposes split in Los Angeles diaspora
Iranian Americans in Los Angeles are divided over whether Team Melli represents a nation, a government or both as protests loom around its World Cup match.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Iran’s World Cup opener in Los Angeles has become a flashpoint for Iranian Americans divided over whether to support the national team or protest it. Al Jazeera reported that the split is especially visible in Westwood, a Los Angeles neighborhood with a large Iranian community and strong opposition to Tehran’s government.
Iran is scheduled to begin its tournament against New Zealand in Los Angeles, with more group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Al Jazeera reported that protests have already been held against Iran’s participation, and more demonstrations were planned around Monday’s match.
Roozbeh Farahanipour, a Los Angeles business owner and veteran opposition activist, told Al Jazeera that the local community is divided. He said some Iranian Americans see Team Melli as tied to the Islamic Republic, while others want to watch football without making the match a political test.
Farahanipour said he opposes the recent U.S.-Israel war against Iran but will not cheer for the team. He told Al Jazeera he views the squad as representing a system that killed members of his family and friends.
Fans split over what the team represents
Sudi Farokhnia, an Iranian American community organizer in Los Angeles, told Al Jazeera she sees no contradiction between opposing a government and supporting a national team. She compared it with cheering for the United States while opposing President Donald Trump.
Farokhnia said she supported Team USA during its match and did not know or care about the players’ political views. She argued that the same standard should apply to Iran’s players, who she said are being targeted by anger that belongs elsewhere.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei told reporters Sunday that his team wants to represent Iranians inside and outside the country, according to Al Jazeera. He said he hoped football would bring joy and bring cultures and countries closer despite travel problems faced by the team.
Those travel problems have also become part of the dispute. Al Jazeera reported that the Trump administration did not allow Team Melli to base itself in the United States, forcing the squad to stay in Mexico despite playing its group matches across the border.
Al Jazeera also reported that Iranian fans have been affected by a U.S. travel ban. Yasmine Taeb, an Iranian American civil rights lawyer from Virginia, told Al Jazeera that the treatment of Iranian players and supporters runs against the World Cup’s role as an open global sporting event.
Flag dispute adds pressure
A central point of tension is the pre-1979 lion-and-sun flag, which is widely displayed in Westwood and used by opponents of the Islamic Republic. Al Jazeera reported that FIFA has not issued specific guidance on the emblem, but its ban on political symbols applies to that flag.
Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali warned last week that Iran would suspend play if unofficial flags were displayed or slogans against the national team were chanted in stadiums, according to Al Jazeera.
Farahanipour criticized FIFA’s restrictions, saying U.S. free-speech protections should prevail outside the field of play. Sam Beykzadeh, who runs a Westwood bookshop under a lion-and-sun flag, also rejected FIFA’s position and told Al Jazeera he considers that emblem the Iranian flag.
Beykzadeh told Al Jazeera he sees Team Melli as belonging to the regime rather than the Iranian people. He referred to opposition accounts that 45,000 people were killed during antigovernment protests in January; Al Jazeera reported that Iranian authorities put the toll at 3,117, including security force members, and blamed Israel-backed “rioters.”
Al Jazeera reported that U.S. authorities appeared to increase security for Iran’s team, with several police vehicles accompanying the team bus on Monday. Beykzadeh predicted confrontation at the match, while Taeb called protests against the team disgraceful and said Team Melli’s participation should be viewed positively.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.