AbdulAziz9715 t1_iyc9zjv wrote on November 30, 2022 at 9:23 AM

Isn't state sponsoring disallowed by FIFA, and getting caught means instant revoking of their membership? In any case, it must be real tough for the players and their support staff, they are the only losing side here.

ChepaukPitch t1_iycbezi wrote on November 30, 2022 at 9:45 AM

Nope, that is not true. Government can’t interfere in running of the local governing body. Even that is not black and white. Government sponsoring a team will not be a problem at all.

Also, people aren’t celebrating because the team is state sponsored. They are celebrating because the government was surely going to exploit any success. Happens in every country to some extent. Sports success creates goodwill for the government. Iranian government was going to actively try to gain goodwill out of it.

Finally the players themselves have made statements supporting the protests. They are with the people. In first match they even refused to sing the national anthem.

AbdulAziz9715 t1_iycde55 wrote on November 30, 2022 at 10:14 AM

Still sucks for the players TBH. They really cannot turn to any side of the conflict without suffering dire consequences.

mahmooti OP t1_iyd4nx9 wrote on November 30, 2022 at 2:53 PM

FIFA has allowed Iran to get away with pretty much everything. For example for years the Iranian regime didn’t allow women to get into stadiums and even today when they do it’s very limited and disrespectful and only when a FIFA or AFC rep is present. FIFA doesn’t care they rather sweep everything under the rug. Just look at how dismissive they were about issues with Qatar hosting!