Iranians protest against the regime before the team's debut in the USA

Hundreds of Iranians gathered outside the Los Angeles stadium this Monday (15), before the Iran national team's debut match in the World Cup.

Some held signs and flags against the Iranian regime, and said they did not want to watch the match, as this would imply support for Tehran. Others asked Iranians to unite and leave politics aside.

Members of the Iranian community in the US went to the stadium but brought with them symbols of protest, including the flag of pre-revolutionary Iran, which has the same colors as the current official flag but with a different lion and sun.

Iran has threatened to halt matches if unofficial flags are flown or slogans are chanted.

When asked about the matter, FIFA, the highest governing body in world football, cited the rules that prohibit flags or clothing of a political nature. But it has not specifically commented on its approach to the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag and did not immediately comment on Monday.

Reuters saw several people carrying the lion and sun flag or wearing T-shirts with the symbol passing through security without issue on Monday. Many began to raise the flag from their seats.

Three people in the stands wearing white T-shirts with the lion and sun on them said they decided to wear them despite the warnings.

"This team does not represent the Iranian people," said one of the three, Farhad Jafargad. He and others said they planned to support New Zealand.

The country debuted in the tournament this Monday, in a match against New Zealand that started at 10pm, Brasília time.

Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran, many of whom fled the country after the Islamic Revolution, Iranian-American fans say they are torn between excitement at seeing their team on world soccer's biggest stage, anger at Tehran's crackdown on protesters and concern about Washington's bombing campaign.

"Leave politics aside"
Other fans wrapped themselves in the official flag and complained of having been harassed by the protesters. Some said they wanted to focus on their national team, affectionately known as Team Melli, and forget about politics.

"I'm here to support Iran. We're going to win this game," said Mehdi Jafari, 57, wearing an Iran national football team shirt.

"We are very proud of our country. We are here to support Iran. I think we should all put politics aside and just come in and support Team Melli," he added.

Iran's participation in the tournament has been marred by controversy amid the war, which began in February when the US and Israel launched attacks against Iran.

This followed protests across Iran in January in which thousands of people were killed in a violent government crackdown.

In recent weeks, the football team has moved its headquarters from Arizona to Mexico, while its federation has complained that not all team members have received American visas and that tickets intended for fans have been withdrawn.

Source: CNN