The flag Iranians are not allowed to wave at the World Cup

Iranian fans in Los Angeles stated on November 21, 2022, that they are prohibited from waving the pre-1979 Islamic revolution flag of Iran at the World Cup. These fans expressed their desire to display the "Lion and Sun" flag, which was the national symbol before the 1979 revolution, and find the current flag on the national team's jersey to be unacceptable. One fan explained that this older flag represents a different identity and history for Iran, one that many diaspora members connect with. The fans indicated that security at the World Cup has been preventing them from displaying this historical banner. They believe the current flag is a symbol of the regime that has oppressed their people, and they wish to represent a different vision for Iran. The fans also noted that they have faced challenges in the past when trying to express their political views through symbols at international sporting events.