Iran threatens to withdraw from match if political messages are displayed

Iranian officials have threatened to pull their team from an upcoming football match if political messages are displayed during the game. The Iranian Football Federation has also requested that FIFA ensure fans are only permitted to bring the official flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran into stadiums, and not the former Persian flag. The demand appears aimed at preventing displays of opposition symbols, as the former Persian flag has been used by protesters and opposition groups as an alternative to the current Iranian state flag.