World Cup 2022

[TitoFan]

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sp...up-2022-11-29/

"Fans brace for politically charged U.S.-Iran match at World Cup"

DOHA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Longtime adversaries the United States and Iran face off on the pitch at the World Cup on Tuesday in a match that some Iranians fear may see further run-ins with stadium security or clashes with pro-government fans over raging protests back home.

The contest between the two nations that severed ties over 40 years ago will be held with increased security to prevent a flare-up of tensions over the unrest that has gripped Iran since the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16.

In a show of solidarity ahead of the match, which starts at 1900 GMT, the U.S. Soccer Federation temporarily displayed Iran's national flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, leading Tehran to complain to FIFA, according to state media.

Qatar, which has strong ties with Washington and friendly relations with Tehran, has staked its reputation on delivering a smooth World Cup, beefing up security at Iran games and banning some items deemed inflammatory, like Iran's pre-Revolution flag.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani arrived in Doha on Tuesday on an invitation from Qatar, state news agency IRNA reported without mentioning if he would attend the match.

U.S.-Iranian tensions have worsened since 2018 when then-President Donald Trump abandoned Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Efforts to salvage the pact under President Joe Biden's administration have stalled.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Romania, played down any link between the match and political tensions and said he hoped the game would "speak for itself", adding that he would be watching and cheering on his country.

Still, politics have spilled into the World Cup, the first to be held in a Middle East country.

Security teams deployed on Friday, when Iran beat Wales, to "break up a small number of altercations" between Iranian fans outside the stadium, a Qatari official said, adding the incidents were handled "swiftly" to contain tensions.

"I will not attend the game on Tuesday since I do not feel safe in Qatar," said Iranian-Canadian Azi, who declined to give her last name and was wearing a T-shirt declaring "Women, Life, Freedom" - a slogan of the anti-government protests in Iran.

Shame that these players can't just enjoy a good ol' fashioned sporting contest. It's not like the US and Iran have ever been BFFs or anything, but for crying out loud... let the players play and put off the political nonsense for some other time and place. Have also seen reports of Iranian authorities threatening the families of players who decide to show support for causes deemed against the Iranian government. This smacks of the days of Saddam Hussein and his evil son, who reportedly used to torture Iranian Olympic athletes who had lost in Olympic competition. It's horrible to add this pressure to the already existent pressure of wanting to win and move on to the next stage of the Cup.

[Kirkland Laing]

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sp...up-2022-11-29/

"Fans brace for politically charged U.S.-Iran match at World Cup"

DOHA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Longtime adversaries the United States and Iran face off on the pitch at the World Cup on Tuesday in a match that some Iranians fear may see further run-ins with stadium security or clashes with pro-government fans over raging protests back home.

The contest between the two nations that severed ties over 40 years ago will be held with increased security to prevent a flare-up of tensions over the unrest that has gripped Iran since the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16.

In a show of solidarity ahead of the match, which starts at 1900 GMT, the U.S. Soccer Federation temporarily displayed Iran's national flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, leading Tehran to complain to FIFA, according to state media.

Qatar, which has strong ties with Washington and friendly relations with Tehran, has staked its reputation on delivering a smooth World Cup, beefing up security at Iran games and banning some items deemed inflammatory, like Iran's pre-Revolution flag.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani arrived in Doha on Tuesday on an invitation from Qatar, state news agency IRNA reported without mentioning if he would attend the match.

U.S.-Iranian tensions have worsened since 2018 when then-President Donald Trump abandoned Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Efforts to salvage the pact under President Joe Biden's administration have stalled.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Romania, played down any link between the match and political tensions and said he hoped the game would "speak for itself", adding that he would be watching and cheering on his country.

Still, politics have spilled into the World Cup, the first to be held in a Middle East country.

Security teams deployed on Friday, when Iran beat Wales, to "break up a small number of altercations" between Iranian fans outside the stadium, a Qatari official said, adding the incidents were handled "swiftly" to contain tensions.

"I will not attend the game on Tuesday since I do not feel safe in Qatar," said Iranian-Canadian Azi, who declined to give her last name and was wearing a T-shirt declaring "Women, Life, Freedom" - a slogan of the anti-government protests in Iran.

Shame that these players can't just enjoy a good ol' fashioned sporting contest. It's not like the US and Iran have ever been BFFs or anything, but for crying out loud... let the players play and put off the political nonsense for some other time and place. Have also seen reports of Iranian authorities threatening the families of players who decide to show support for causes deemed against the Iranian government. This smacks of the days of Saddam Hussein and his evil son, who reportedly used to torture Iranian Olympic athletes who had lost in Olympic competition. It's horrible to add this pressure to the already existent pressure of wanting to win and move on to the next stage of the Cup.

Team America are through to the Sweet Sixteen in the World Soccerball Cup after Christian Pulisic bundled the ball past the Iranian goaltender in the first quarter. They showed Saddam and the rest of those fuckheads who the boss is.



Screenshot 2022-11-30 at 01-05-21 shah of iran phil leotardo - Google Search.jpg

[Kirkland Laing]

Screenshot 2022-11-30 at 01-13-42 Kelvin 🐵 (War on Christmas Veteran) on Twitter.jpg

[TitoFan]

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sp...up-2022-11-29/

"Fans brace for politically charged U.S.-Iran match at World Cup"

DOHA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Longtime adversaries the United States and Iran face off on the pitch at the World Cup on Tuesday in a match that some Iranians fear may see further run-ins with stadium security or clashes with pro-government fans over raging protests back home.

The contest between the two nations that severed ties over 40 years ago will be held with increased security to prevent a flare-up of tensions over the unrest that has gripped Iran since the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16.

In a show of solidarity ahead of the match, which starts at 1900 GMT, the U.S. Soccer Federation temporarily displayed Iran's national flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, leading Tehran to complain to FIFA, according to state media.

Qatar, which has strong ties with Washington and friendly relations with Tehran, has staked its reputation on delivering a smooth World Cup, beefing up security at Iran games and banning some items deemed inflammatory, like Iran's pre-Revolution flag.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani arrived in Doha on Tuesday on an invitation from Qatar, state news agency IRNA reported without mentioning if he would attend the match.

U.S.-Iranian tensions have worsened since 2018 when then-President Donald Trump abandoned Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Efforts to salvage the pact under President Joe Biden's administration have stalled.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Romania, played down any link between the match and political tensions and said he hoped the game would "speak for itself", adding that he would be watching and cheering on his country.

Still, politics have spilled into the World Cup, the first to be held in a Middle East country.

Security teams deployed on Friday, when Iran beat Wales, to "break up a small number of altercations" between Iranian fans outside the stadium, a Qatari official said, adding the incidents were handled "swiftly" to contain tensions.

"I will not attend the game on Tuesday since I do not feel safe in Qatar," said Iranian-Canadian Azi, who declined to give her last name and was wearing a T-shirt declaring "Women, Life, Freedom" - a slogan of the anti-government protests in Iran.

Shame that these players can't just enjoy a good ol' fashioned sporting contest. It's not like the US and Iran have ever been BFFs or anything, but for crying out loud... let the players play and put off the political nonsense for some other time and place. Have also seen reports of Iranian authorities threatening the families of players who decide to show support for causes deemed against the Iranian government. This smacks of the days of Saddam Hussein and his evil son, who reportedly used to torture Iranian Olympic athletes who had lost in Olympic competition. It's horrible to add this pressure to the already existent pressure of wanting to win and move on to the next stage of the Cup.

Team America are through to the Sweet Sixteen in the World Soccerball Cup after Christian Pulisic bundled the ball past the Iranian goaltender in the first quarter. They showed Saddam and the rest of those fuckheads who the boss is.



Screenshot 2022-11-30 at 01-05-21 shah of iran phil leotardo - Google Search.jpg

I didn't think Pulisic would be available for the next game, the way he was helped off the field. He's got a pelvic contusion... good thing it wasn't a broken rib.

[TitoFan]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/fif...e10befa7c0b575

"Even Andres Guardado, Mexico's captain, has called out Canelo for his Lionel Messi comments"



So even Mexico's own players admit Canelo is an insufferable ass.

[Beanz]

That was a decent performance. Bit of a sore head after drinking to 4:30am (Well out of practice). Everyone loves to slag off Southgate, and he can be a bit hyper cautious, but the fellas man management is class. That team look very dangerous when they gel, and Senegal will be no walk in the park, but I think we can progress if we don't rely on just not conceding. Even nicer to hammer a team more obsessed with us losing against anyone than beating teams themselves.

[TitoFan]

TERRIFIC offensive performance by Argentina. Only Poland's huge (and good) goalkeeper kept it from being 10-0, it seems like.

On the other hand... Poland's offense was anemic or non-existent. They got through to the next round (thanks to a late goal from KSA against Mexico)... but I figure they'll get knocked right out.

Meanwhile, Argentina looks good after their surprise defeat against the Saudis.

[Master]

The penalty given for the "foul" on Messi was pathetic and they do not know how to use VAR properly.

They ruined the world cup final 2018 when they gave the penalty to France against Croatia and they will do the same for this world cup.

They are ruining football.