US coach apologizes after US Soccer removes Iranian flag

DOHA, KOMPAS.com – Coach of the national team United States of America (USA), Gregg Berhalter, on Monday (28/11/2022) apologized for the uproar sparked by the upload of his country’s soccer federation, i.e. US Soccer, which removed the coat of arms on the Iranian national flag.

Last weekend US Soccer uploaded the Group B standings World Cup 2022 on social media with the Iranian flag without the coat of arms in the center. According to the federation, it was a gesture of solidarity with women protesters in Iran.

The post was later deleted following protests from the Iranian soccer federation who filed a complaint with FIFA seeking sanctions against the USMNT, short for the United States men’s soccer team.

Read also: World Cup: The US soccer federation has removed the Iranian flag from social media

The official Twitter account of the United States National Soccer Team (@USMNT) removed the Islamic Republic’s “Allah” emblem and “takbir” from Iran’s tricolor flag in a photo it posted of the FIFA World Cup group standings ahead of Tuesday’s Iran-USA match. pic.twitter.com/cQgBepEiPN

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) November 26, 2022

Berhalter said in a press conference on Monday (11/28/2022) that US players and coaching staff were unaware of the upload.

He also looked to defuse tensions ahead of Wednesday’s (30/11/2022) final group stage match at morning WIB, which brought together Iran and the United States to battle for a top 16 ticket.

“Sometimes things are out of our control,” Berhalter said, quoted by news agencies AFP extension.

“We don’t focus on things beyond that and all we can do is apologize on behalf of the players and staff, but that’s not something we’re a part of.”

“We don’t know what US Soccer put on the field. The staff, the players, we don’t know. For us, the focus is on this game and I don’t want to speak for myself, or we don’t care. Tell us.”

“Obviously we think of the Iranian people, the whole country and everyone. But our thoughts are only on this match.”

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The United States and Iran have been ideological adversaries for more than 40 years. They cut diplomatic ties after the 1979 Revolution.

Berhalter also stressed that the turbulent off-field history between the United States and Iran will not affect his team’s preparation.

Meanwhile, Iran coach Carlos Queiroz also deflected questions about politics. He has rejected suggestions that Iran could use the flag controversy as a motivational tool.

“If after 42 years of coaching this game I still believe I can win games with that mind game, I don’t think I’ve learned anything about that game,” said the Portuguese senior coach.

Read also: Chinese media broadcast the World Cup with players forced to wear masks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55NylStGq38

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