Source: Politics<\/p>\n
LOS ANGELES \u2014 The political tensions surrounding Iran\u2019s national soccer team were on full display Sunday at SoFi Stadium, where Iranian American fans loudly booed<\/a> during the playing of Iran\u2019s national anthem before the team\u2019s World Cup match against Belgium.<\/p>\n Among the crowd were several supporters displaying Iran\u2019s pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag<\/a>, a symbol associated with opposition to the current regime. FIFA prohibits the flag inside tournament venues, but some fans carried it anyway \u2014 and at least one supporter waved it during the anthem<\/a> in an act of defiance.<\/p>\n Conversations with Iranian American fans at the stadium in Inglewood revealed a consistent message: Their protests were directed at Iran\u2019s government, not at the players representing the country on the field. An Iranian American man from Seattle who gave his name as Majid said that he appreciated the opportunity to “confront the tyrannies that are happening.”<\/p>\n “Iran is hostage for the past 47 years or so to a regime that is promoting terrorism and chaos in the region,” he said. “For the team, we support them. But the anthem, the flag \u2014 we don’t support it.”<\/p>\n That distinction was evident throughout the match, which ended in a scoreless draw. While the anthem drew intense jeers, Iranian players received loud cheers on corner kicks and takeaways.<\/p>\n The game, held amid U.S.-Iran talks<\/a> to end the monthslong war between the two countries, was the second of two matches<\/a> Iran played in Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran. Both ended in draws.<\/p>\n