Iran v Iran in the stands as politics and football intertwineImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Iran fans during the 2-2 draw with New Zealand at Los Angeles StadiumByShaimaa KhalilBBC North America correspondent at Los Angeles StadiumPublished20 minutes agoOn the tickets and in the listings, this match was billed as Iran v New Zealand.But in the stands and chanting outside the stadium, it was not the Kiwis who were Iran’s most vocal opponents – it was their own dissidents.Time and again, Iranian team officials have mentioned they want football to unite people. The mood here was anything but united.Outside the Los Angeles Stadium, the atmosphere was politically charged.Hundreds of Iranian flags were flying. The most visible were the pre-revolutionary flags bearing the Lion and Sun emblem. For many Iranian-Americans, the flag has become a symbol of opposition to the regime in Tehran. Fifa has banned it inside stadiums as a political symbol.But it was flying inside nonetheless and emblazoned on t-shirts.A few hundred protesters gathered outside, angry at Fifa’s decision and at what they see as a national team that represents the Islamic Republic rather than the Iranian people.”Mullahs’ team is not my team,” one group chanted. “Regime change in Iran,” sang another.Then they broke into song – Iran’s pre-revolutionary national anthem.A young man, when asked to translate, smiles.”It means freedom and pride,” he says.The soundscape changed dramatically inside the stadium.Just scores twice but New Zealand held by spirited Iran
