Iran tell FIFA to kick USA out of Qatar World Cup because of social media post

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    Iran have sensationally urged FIFA to boot USA out of the World Cup after their social media team altered a picture of the Iranian flag.

    The stunt, which saw them remove the 'Allah' emblem as well as the 'takbirs' [Islamic words of prayer] from Iran's tricolour, was done as a show of support for women's rights in the Middle Eastern country.

    This has allegedly breached FIFA guidelines, as Iran's state-affiliated media Tasnim News Agency have since pointed out. The USMNT later confirmed that the gesture was a one-time display and that it would restore the symbols moving forward.

    READ MORE: Protesting Iran stars 'under surveillance from secret agents' at World Cup

    Tasnim News Agency wrote on Twitter: "According to section 13 of FIFA rules, any person who offends the dignity or integrity of a country, a person or group of people … shall be sanctioned with a suspension lasting at least 10 matches or a specific period, or any other appropriate disciplinary measure.

    "By posting a distorted image of the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran on its official account, the US football team breached the FIFA charter, for which a 10-game suspension is the appropriate penalty."

    Was it wrong of USA to alter the Iranian flag? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

    They finished by saying: "Team USA should be kicked out of the WorldCup2022."

    It comes amid widespread protests in Iran challenging the country's theocratic government. In support of these protests, the Iranian players chose not to sing their national anthem ahead of their World Cup opener against England on Monday, but backed down prior to Friday's clash with Wales following threats of reprisals.

    USA and Iran have a frosty relationship as it is but this latest bit of controversy makes their upcoming make-or-break World Cup clash even spicier – with both teams needing a win to guarantee progression to the knockout stages.

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    • World Cup
    • Iran
    • Twitter

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