As a symbol of solidarity with women who are protesting in Iran, the US soccer federation displayed Iran’s flag on social media without the Islamic Federation’s emblem. In retaliation, Iran’s government accused the US of removing the name of God from their national flag, describing the action as ‘removing the symbol of Allah’ from the Iranian flag.

According to Iran’s state-affiliated media, Tasnim News Agency, they have called upon FIFA, soccer’s governing body, to put the USA’s participation in the 2022 World Cup this year to a stop. The organization responded with a legal adviser who stated that, “According to Section 13 of FIFA rules, any person who offends the dignity or integrity of a country, a person or group of people shall be sanctioned with a suspension lasting at least 10 matches or a specific period, or any other appropriate disciplinary measure.”

The emblem was later returned to the flag, as it was altered for around 24 hours over social media.

Following the September 16th death of Mahsa Amini, who shortly died after being arrested by the country’s morality police for wearing her hijab incorrectly, several protests and demonstrations have taken place across Iran. The tension undertaking Iran has been detrimental to its people. 450 people have been killed following their beginning, as well as over 18,000 arrested, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, which is one of the groups following the protests. As stated by the Daily Mail, Tehran, where many of the protests are taking place, press access is being heavily restricted. Over 63 reporters and photographers were arrested. This information was identified by the Committee to Protest Journalists, an organization based in promoting freedom and access for journalists.

Several groups of fans of the Iranian soccer team have attended the World Cup, bearing flags that read things such as: “Woman, Life, Freedom.” The protests in Tehran continue, with a newly approved UN investigation being appointed within the city following the antigovernment revolt.