Give U.S. Soccer Federation red card
After all the controversy surrounding Qatar hosting the World Cup, one would have thought the focus would have been on big upsets and Oscar-worthy dramatics. Nope.
Instead, the United States Soccer Federation decided to make a foray into international affairs. In doing so, it created a needless firestorm that embarrassed America and gave the U.S. men’s team a black eye — and a “red card” for disastrous public relations.
According to widespread news reports, the federation displayed Iran’s national flag on its social media platforms, but omitted the Islamic Republic’s emblem, a religious symbol that represents the saying “There is no God except Allah.”
And why did they engage in something that had nothing to do with soccer?
To show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights,” according to a statement from the Federation.
Per news reports, it added: “We wanted to show our support for the women in Iran with our graphic for 24 hours.”
It isn’t a stretch to think that the soccer federation’s action “offended the dignity” of Iran, since removing the most integral part of that nation’s flag could be considered derogatory, especially given that the emblem is religious.
On top of that, the federation’s statements could be construed as political opinion.
The Iranian soccer team has nothing to do with its country’s internal policies, so they should never be victimized in a guilt-by-association way, just as the U.S. team should not be subjected to questions about discrimination in America — or, for that matter, anything unrelated to soccer.
Since players are neither policymakers nor diplomats, they should never have to answer questions about politics. Doing so is always a lose-lose.
Let’s be honest. If the situation were reversed, the outcry would be a thousand times greater. What if Iran had scrubbed the stars off the American flag and replaced them with their national emblem?
True, we are dealing in hypotheticals, and yes, we still don’t know what the outcome will be regarding the U.S. team, but it would be naive to think that both situations would be perceived equally by the court of public opinion.
And that’s a problem. America is seen by billions as the perennially-shining beacon of light in an ever-darker world — a nation that provides hope and inspiration to the oppressed masses around the globe.
But it’s not all roses. Truth is, the United States has a long history of arrogance, continuing to this day, where it often attempts to impose its will on other nations without thinking through the consequences.
Take Iran. As we are seeing, that nation is experiencing a monthslong protest against the regime’s authoritarian policies. Many Iranians look to America for inspiration and courage, since protesting in a country that doesn’t take kindly to protests can lead to imprisonment, torture, and worse.
But when rank-and-file Iranians see the story that the United States altered their flag — and while they may not be fans of their government, it’s still their flag — it needlessly gets their backs up.
So what had been a pro-U.S. mindset takes a hit, all because “America” — and in this case, the federation and the American government become perceived as a distinction without a difference — injected itself in ways that common sense should have told them was off-limits.
This author is prepared for soccer aficionados to call me a commie, traitor, Iranian sympathizer, etc. Whatever. Spitballs off a battleship.
But the critics, if true to themselves, should ask what the column is really advocating.
If they do, they’d see that it’s about always rejecting double standards; following the rules and conducting oneself with dignity and civility; staying focused on the business at hand; and not overstepping by intervening in the affairs of others, especially via that confounded tool of the devil: social media.
World Cup jokes aside, the athletes who compete on that lofty stage possess an incredible work ethic, engaging in grueling workouts, both mental and physical, every single day.
And someone else is always breathing down their necks, wanting to punch their own ticket to the greatest soccer show in history.
To top it off, they carry the indescribable pride of a nation — both a blessing and a curse, as we are seeing — on their shoulders.
Through no fault of its own, the U.S. team is fighting through needless distractions at a time it can least afford them. Here’s hoping they can put it all behind them and continue to emerge victorious.
And what a save that would be.
The United States has a long history of arrogance, continuing to this day, where it often attempts to impose its will on other nations without thinking through the consequences.