Updated

Updated · Reuters · Jun 14

Iran Heads to Los Angeles for June 15 World Cup Opener as Visa Denials Split Staff

Updated

Updated · Reuters · Jun 14

Iran Heads to Los Angeles for June 15 World Cup Opener as Visa Denials Split Staff

Q: Will a U.S. court force FIFA to allow Iran's controversial pre-revolution flag in World Cup stadiums?

No one knows yet, and as of June 14 no U.S. court has ordered FIFA to allow the flag. What has happened is that a California nonprofit, the Institute for Voices of Liberty, sued FIFA and local authorities in Los Angeles County, arguing that banning Iran’s pre-1979 “Lion and Sun” flag in publicly used stadiums violates free-speech protections under the U.S. and California constitutions. The plaintiffs want a court order letting fans bring the flag into World Cup venues and damages for anyone excluded over it. FIFA’s current position is the opposite. Its stadium code bars political symbols, and people familiar with FIFA’s stance say the pre-revolution Iranian flag is being treated as political paraphernalia. FIFA has repeated that policy publicly and has not indicated any change. Whether a U.S. court can force FIFA to reverse course is legally uncertain. The plaintiffs’ argument is stronger if judges view the host venues as public forums and local government agencies as involved in enforcement. FIFA, however, is likely to argue it is a private event organizer entitled to set neutral stadium rules, especially for an international tournament. So the immediate answer is that the court is being asked to force FIFA’s hand, but it has not done so. Any ruling before Iran’s opening match would likely have to come through emergency court action, and there is no public sign yet that such an order has been issued.

3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 14

Iran’s national team flies to Los Angeles on Sunday, one day before its World Cup opener against New Zealand, after basing itself in Tijuana ahead of U.S. matches.
U.S. visas were denied to some support staff and federation officials, leaving behind the team supervisor, analysts and press liaison even as players were cleared to enter.
Tijuana became Iran’s training base after uncertainty over U.S. entry during the two countries’ war; the squad has stayed under tight security, traveling mainly by chartered bus to practice.
About 20 Iranians live in Tijuana, and their excitement over Team Melli is tempered by political splits, including disputes over the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag.
That flag could become a flashpoint in U.S. stadiums too, with a California nonprofit suing to protect fans’ right to bring it despite FIFA’s ban on political symbols.