Iranian club Los Angeles ties national team World Cup diaspora
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
LOS ANGELES — Iran opened its World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday, attracting a near-capacity crowd following pre-tournament concerns about ticket demand.
Fans brought competing symbols of identity inside the stadium; some were waving the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while others displayed the pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag, a historical emblem used by some government opponents.
This difference in symbolism also emerged in how some fans described their support for the national football team and the team’s departure from political views regarding the Iranian leadership.
This divide extends beyond the stadium to communities in Southern California, home to one of the largest Iranian populations outside of Iran.
JUDGE APPROVED FIFA’S BAN ON IRAN’S OLD FLAG AT WORLD CUP MATCHES AFTER EMERGENCY HEARING
Iran played against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday, drawing a crowd of 70,108, according to FIFA. (Amalia Roy)
On the Sunday before Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand, Arya FC members gathered in the San Fernando Valley for a play-off match in the over-48 league.
Arya FC plays at El Camino Real Charter High School almost every Sunday. (Amalia Roy)
Arya FC was founded nearly a decade ago and has two squads, said co-founder Nader Adeli, who also manages and coaches the team. He said most players are Iranian-born immigrants and the team communicates mostly in Farsi on the field.
Arya FC won their match on Sunday, drawing 3-3 on penalties. (Amalia Roy)
Adeli said that the players focused on football during the matches.
“Football brings nations together,” he said. “When we come together, we pray for peace and unity.”
IRAN WORLD CUP TEAM HAD TO LEAVE US AFTER A VISIBLE CHANGE OF PLAN AT THE END OF THE TOURNAMENT OPENING
Speaking ahead of Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand, long-time Arya FC player Vartan Golbodaghians said he supported the national team regardless of political differences.
“I support my country 100 percent. I also support my country’s team 100 percent,” he said. “The state is the government. The team is the team. I don’t care about politics. I support my country and my players.”
Adeli said that although he has spent most of his life outside the country, he still feels a strong emotional bond with Iran and remains a supporter of the national team.
“I’ve been living outside Iran for 47 years, but I still get goosebumps when I think of Iran and I support that team,” he said.
Team Melli is commonly used to refer to the Iran national football team.
He acknowledged that some in the Iranian community oppose supporting the team but said he expects reactions to shift once matches begin.
“There are a lot of Iranians who oppose this,” he said. “But I told them all, when Iran scores the first goal against New Zealand, everyone will jump out of their seats and start saying ‘Hooray’ and support the national team.”
FIFA IS REPORTEDLY WILLING TO GIVE THE WORLD CUP TROPHY TO WINNING CAPTAIN TRUMP AT METLIFE STADIUM
Adeli said he hoped Iran could progress further in the tournament than in past World Cup matches.
“I hope Iran will have a successful journey in this tournament,” he said. “It’s probably the first time we’ve been able to go beyond the group stage.”
Adeli said that despite different political views, most Arya FC players support the national team.
“Most of the players I spoke to support Team Melli, regardless of any political or religious affiliation,” he said. “I think this is the national team and I will support it.”
Arya FC is a predominantly Iranian recreational football club in Los Angeles. Players spoke of mixed emotions upon seeing Iran compete in the World Cup. (Amalia Roy)
Others in the community offered a different view.
Amin Jafari, a former football player who lived in Iran and now lives in Southern California, said he believes the team should do more to commemorate people killed during anti-government protests.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
“There is nothing more important to Iran than the people who lost their lives,” Jafari said. “I expected these players to show some respect for the people who died for their country.”
Jafari said some fans no longer feel connected to the team.
“The connection between the players and the public has already been lost,” he said.
The differing views reflect a broader debate among Iranians about support for the national team.
Despite these political differences, football remains a common activity for Arya FC players.
Adeli said that the players focused on the game during the matches.
“For 90 minutes, we all put everything in our lives aside and play football,” he said.
