Political football: war and peace by other means at the World Cup

Paris, France - As Iran prepares to play diplomatic arch-rivals the United States in the World Cup on Tuesday, here is a look at how geopolitics have spilt onto the pitch in previous World Cups:

MUSSOLINI’S ‘BLACKSHIRTS’ France-italy, 1938

Just a year before World War II broke out, defending champions Italy arrived in France with politics taking centre stage in their clash with the hosts.

Championed by Italy’s then-leader, fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, the team were booed when they came onto the pitch at the stadium near Paris.

Undeterred, the Italians gave the fascist salute to the crowd and played in black shirts, a nod to the uniform worn by Mussolini’s notorious “Blackshirts” militia.

Italy won the clash 3-1 and went on to win the competition.