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FootballIran Demand USA Are Kicked Out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Amid Anger Over Social Media Post
- State-run media in Iran have demanded that FIFA disqualify the USA from the 2022 World Cup
- Iran are due to play the Americans in their final Group B clash for a place in the Round of 16
- The USA needs a win to progress while Iran have amassed 3 points from their two games
Tensions are high ahead of the final Group B clash between Iran and the United States of America, after the Middle-East country beckoned on FIFA to expel the Stars and Stripes from the ongoing World Cup.
The USA, in a gesture meant to show support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights, posted an altered image of the Iranian flag while showing the World Cup Group B standings.
The USA decided to remove the Islamic Republic's 'Allah' emblem and the 'takbirs' from Iran's three-coloured flag, which has angered the Islamic republic, Daily Mirror reports.
Iran’s state media says that for posting the distorted image of the country's flag on its official account, the USA team breached the football governing body’s statutes according to section 13 of FIFA rules.
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Iran are now demanding a 10-game suspension for the Stars and Stripes - which is the appropriate penalty for breaching the rule of offending the dignity or integrity of a country, as stated in the FIFA statutes.
Iran without key players
Meanwhile, Iran will be without the services of Alireza Jahanbakhsh in their final game of Group B. He has received two yellow cards already in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Sports Mole reports.
Star man and Bayer Leverkusen forward Sardar Azmoun is a doubt for Team Melli as well, after visibly struggling throughout his 68 minutes on the pitch against Wales.
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FootballNow sitting second in Group B with three points from two matches, Iran knows a win against USA secures passage to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
Protest scrutiny intensifies on Iran
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Iran scored a famous victory with a last-gasp World Cup win, but scrutiny on the conduct of the team ahead of the decisive clash with the USA will only intensify.
In a striking U-turn, the Iranian players sang their national anthem ahead of Friday's match against Wales.
Their silence - when the song was played ahead of Monday's match with England - had been seen as a sign of solidarity with the ongoing protests.