LOS ANGELES — On Sunday, SoFi Stadium became a stage for political drama as Iranian American fans expressed their disapproval during the playing of Iran’s national anthem before the World Cup match against Belgium by loudly booing.
In the crowd, some supporters displayed Iran’s pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag, a symbol of resistance to the current regime. Despite FIFA’s ban on this flag at tournament venues, some fans defied the rule, with at least one person waving it during the anthem.
Interviews with Iranian American fans at the Inglewood stadium revealed a clear sentiment: their protests targeted Iran’s government, not the players. Majid, an Iranian American from Seattle, expressed his gratitude for the chance to “confront the tyrannies that are happening.”
“Iran is hostage for the past 47 years or so to a regime that is promoting terrorism and chaos in the region,” he stated. “For the team, we support them. But the anthem, the flag — we don’t support it.”
This distinction was evident throughout the game, which ended in a scoreless draw. While the anthem was met with significant jeering, the Iranian players received enthusiastic cheers for corner kicks and takeaways.
The match was held amid U.S.-Iran discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between the two countries. It was the second of two games Iran played in Los Angeles, which boasts the largest Iranian community outside of Iran. Both matches concluded in draws.
