'The mullahs' team': Split loyalties for Iran fans at World Cup (opens original article in a new tab)

Iranian fans in Los Angeles protested the national soccer team, seeing it as representing the government, while some supported the players as athletes.

• Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles protested against the national soccer team, viewing it as representing the government rather than the people
• Protesters displayed pre-revolutionary flags and called for regime change, despite FIFA regulations against political symbols
• Some fans supported the team as athletes, while others criticized the political influence on team selection and actions