When a group of chanting, flag-wielding protesters marched into SoFi Stadium before Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand, their competition was a poor sweaty soul in a giant panda suit handing out free keys.
Several voices vied for attention ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Belgium, but one theme dominated the day: division.
A modest pocket of fans gathered around the northern entrance to provide a counterpoint to the anti-regime protests, calling for an end to the ‘US war on Iran’ and brandishing the post-revolutionary flag.
Pro-regime, anti-US protesters formed outside SoFi, while anti-regime supporters dressed in the banned FIFA flag chanted ‘I’m Team IRGC, not Team Iran.’
Less than 100 meters down the street, a concentration of anti-regime protesters gathered, dressed in the banned FIFA flag, to express their dissent.
An anti-regime supporter took it upon himself to shout his disdain for what he described as a ‘glorification of criminals’ through a horn near the rival faction of fans.
A frank exchange of views took place outside the stadium, with fans from the same nation directly confronting each other over ideological differences.
Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi had earlier said the country was a ‘united nation,’ but division was the dominant theme for Sunday’s game.
Sunday’s protest was more limited, with security taking precautions to prevent incidents.
The Californian Highway Patrol calmly but firmly informed protesters that they would be arrested if they crossed the street, and a permit was obtained to express concerns from the bare concrete side.
Those who managed to gather outside Gate B were held back by a cycle line and the natural barrier at the end of the pavement.
A huge flag of Iran with the insignia of the sun and the lion was unfurled outside the stadium, while inside, the dominant voice was one of support for the national team.
The national anthem was a hum of competing boos and cheers, but everyone not in Belgium red appeared to be celebrating wildly as Taremi slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
There were tears from some supporters, which took on new meaning when VAR found Iran’s number 9 had strayed offside.
Taremi said last week that national team players play for every Iranian, but it’s not quite as easy as that, as the protests outside and confusion inside the stadium showed.
The World Cup has become a stage for Iran’s deep divisions, making it a challenging time for the national team to bring unity and joy to the country.
Add us as a favorite source on GoogleFollow