Iran complains to FIFA that the US is removing the Islamic Republic symbol from the flag in social media posts, but the Americans say the decision was made to support women in the country

The Iranian Football Federation complained to FIFA after the United States removed the symbol of the Islamic Republic from the Iranian flag in social media posts.

Ahead of the meeting between the two sides on Tuesday, the United States infuriated its opponents by releasing altered images of the Iranian flag.

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According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, the football federation will file a complaint with the FIFA ethics committee and outline theoretical sanctions.

“Respecting one nation’s flag is an accepted international practice that all other nations should emulate,” said legal adviser Safia Allah Faghanpour.

“The action taken in relation to the Iranian flag is unethical and contrary to international law.”

The US social media posts have since been labeled a “hostile and provocative move” by the Islamic Republic News Agency.

“It is clear that the decision we made was to show our support for women in Iran. It holds,” a United States soccer federation told Athletic.

“It’s our decision, not someone else’s or someone else’s pressure.”

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The BBC had received an official complaint from the Iranian Football Federation following comments by specialist Jurgen Klinsmann.

Former Germany and Tottenham striker Klinsmann says the Iranian players manipulated the referee in their 2-0 win over Wales.

He said that this style of play was part of their culture and that Carlos Queiroz was the right coach to bring it onto the pitch.

Klinsmann then received a scathing attack from the Iran boss, but the German claims he took his comments the wrong way.

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Iran is currently under the spotlight after numerous government protests, following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September.

Amini was detained by the forces for allegedly failing to follow the country’s Islamic dress code.

Iran Human Rights reported this week that at least 416 people have been killed, including Iranian international Voria Ghafouri among more than 15,000 people arrested.