An organization constructed to fight for the rights of Iranian people is demanding FIFA lift its ban on pre-revolutionary Iranian imagery from this year’s World Cup — and it’s threatening legal action if the soccer giant balks.
The Institute for Voices of Liberty, a non-profit that describes itself as a group “dedicated to reflecting the aspirations of the Iranian people,” said in a statement on its Instagram page last week that it’s “sent a Demand to Retract and Cease Enforcement letter to FIFA” asking for the “immediate removal of any rule, policy, or restriction that bans the peaceful display of the Lion & Sun flag at World Cup events hosted on American soil.”
If it doesn’t happen, iVOL stated it’s “prepared to pursue all necessary legal remedies to defend this right and ensure that freedom of expression is upheld during the World Cup.”
FIFA, according to a report from The Athletic, has barred potential World Cup-goers from bringing flags and apparel that contains pre-revolutionary Iran imagery to stadiums this summer.
FIFA has reportedly claimed the symbolism violates its code of conduct, which states “banners, flags, fliers, apparel and other paraphernalia, that are of a political, offensive and/or discriminatory nature” will not be permitted at venues.
The imagery, which features a lion holding a sword and a sun, was used prior to the 1980 Islamic Revolution, and Emel Karsaz, an Iranian living in Los Angeles, told The California Post last week it’s important for those who oppose the IRGC to have the ability to have it present.
Karsaz added that she’s anticipating FIFA’s ban will bring protestors and the flags to World Cup stadiums next month en masse.
“I’m sure it’s going to make everyone so angry that I’ll bet you anything there’s going to be a huge protest,” she said.
The World Cup will take place beginning in mid-June in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Iran is slated to play its opening two group stage matches at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before it heads to Lumen Field in Seattle for its third contest.