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Iran demands USA are kicked out of World Cup over social media post

Iran demands USA are kicked out of World Cup over social media post

The two sides are set to meet in the final group game in Qatar, on Tuesday but Iran thinks the USMNT should be banned for 10 games.

USA have been accused of breaching FIFA rules, by Iran's state funded media, with calls for the team to be kicked out of the World Cup.

Whilst many eyes will be on England vs Wales on Tuesday evening, both the USMNT and Iran still have a chance of making it through the group stages.

The two sides face each other in their final World Cup group games, with Iran coming off the back of an extremely well deserved win over Wales.

USA also held England to a very credible draw and were probably the better team against Gareth Southgate's side, with the England boss criticised heavily for leaving out Phil Foden.

A win for either Iran or USA when they face each other would see that side go through to the knockout rounds, potentially even topping the group depending on the other scoreline.

However, the Middle East country don't even think that game should go ahead, calling on FIFA to ban their upcoming opponents thanks to a social media post.

The USMNT official account tweeted an image of how Group B currently stands but didn't include the Islamic Republic's "Allah" emblem and the "takbirs" from Iran's three-coloured flag on the image.

Iran's state-affiliated media Tasnim News Agency have claimed that, by removing the emblem from the flag, the USA have broken FIFA regulations.

"According to section 13 of FIFA rules," the news agency posted, "any person who offends the dignity or integrity of a country, a person or group of people ... shall be sanctioned with a suspension lasting at least ten matches or a specific period, or any other appropriate disciplinary measure."

That was the caption alongside the full wording of section 13, straight from the FIFA rule book.

After pointing out that the rule breach can come with a 10 game suspension, they finally confirmed they would be reporting their upcoming opponents to the World Cup organisers.

"The legal advisor of the Iranian Football Federation says the sports association will file a complaint against the US Soccer Team to FIFA’s Ethics Committee after the US Men's National Soccer Team disrespected the national flag of Islamic Republic of Iran."

Iran's players are playing in Qatar in front of the backdrop of civil unrest in the country, with protests following the death of death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, after being arrested for wearing an 'improper' hijab.

The players didn't sing the national anthem ahead of their 6-2 loss to England, and manager Carlos Queiroz was not happy when asked about women's rights in the country, before the tournament.

USA have claimed the decision not to include Iran's emblem on the flag was to "support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human right."

They have also said they will include it in future when posting the Iranian flag on any of their graphics, although either side could be knockout by the time that happens.

This certainly adds some added spice to the final group game.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Twitter

Topics: Football, Football World Cup, USA