Support AlterNet
Do you value the information you're getting from AlterNet? Please show your support with a tax-deductible donation.
Feedback
Tell us how we're doing.
Iran Soccer Stars Show Their Support for Protests on Televised Game
The stars of Iran’s soccer team wore green wristbands in support of the anti-government protesters, during a game broadcast live on Iranian state TV yesterday. “State television, which has been broadcasting Mr Ahmadi-Nejad’s competing rallies, has steered clear of images of Mr Moussavi’s protests,” the Financial Times notes. “But given the popularity of football in Iran, keeping the match off the air would not have been an option.” Twitter user mehdi115 posted this photo:
After half-time, only one player kept his green wristband on. Iranian bloggers speculated that “Ali Abadi, chairman of the Iranian Football Federation (FFI), who is close to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, had telephoned Seoul during half time and instructed the players to remove the green wristbands immediately.”
Ali Frick is a Research Associate for The Progress Report and ThinkProgress.org at the Center for American Progress Action Fund.
| Also by Ali Frick | |||
| Republican Lawmaker Slams McCain: "I Don't Know That McCain Is That Influential" in the GOP Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) suggested that the GOP has already tuned McCain out. June 25, 2009. |
Michael Steele Says Health Care's Easy ... and Adds Some Silly Fearmongering The health police? Oh, please. June 19, 2009. |
Media Pretend That Latest Polls Show Obama's Policies Are Unpopular The evidence says otherwise. June 18, 2009. |
Updated: Obama on Iran: Given U.S.-Iranian Relations, We Shouldn't Be Seen as Meddling Obama again pointed out that a more active U.S. role would make things worse. June 16, 2009. |
EMAIL
PRINT
COMMENT NOW
PERMALINK