Should Iran be banned from the World Cup?

[mfw13]

As people may or may not know, the Iranian parliament recently passed a law requiring non-muslims to wear identifying strips of cloth on their clothing in order to identify them to muslims (yellow for Jews, red for Christians, blue for Zororastrians), thus making it easier for them to be discriminated against and avoided.

While I am not normally a proponent of mixing sports and politics, this is state-sanctioned discrimination on a par with what the Nazi's did before World War Two by requiring Jews to wear yellow stars.

Since nothing the UN seems to say or do seems to have gotten Ahmenijad's attention, is it time to try another strategy? If Iran were to be banned from the World Cup, there is little doubt that popular opinion would turn against him and the general populace would begin to question his leadership. In fact, a World Cup ban may be the single most effective diplomatic tool the rest of the world has at its disposal.

And before people ask, there is precedent for this, as both South Africa and the former Yugoslavia had international sports bans placed on them because of their political actions.

Thoughts?

[Morpheus1271]

Without turning this into a political thread and while I agree that this story is unbelievably unnerving in its scope and possible ramifications, I don't think that they soccer team (players, coaches), and fans should be banned from the World Cup.

The issue being presented needs to be dealt with at the political, governmental level through diplomacy, sanctions, or the like. It would be unfortunate to punish the soccer team for the ridiculous policy of it's zealot religious government. This kind of governmental policy is what makes it hard to simply be 'religious' without being deemed a right-wing neocon...

...if I'm not mistaken, isn't this policy coming from the religious leaders and not Ahmenijad's himself?

[SFC]

In fact, a World Cup ban may be the single most effective diplomatic tool the rest of the world has at its disposal.

You're forgetting tactical nukes.

[PanchoM]

As people may or may not know, the Iranian parliament recently passed a law requiring non-muslims to wear identifying strips of cloth on their clothing in order to identify them to muslims (yellow for Jews, red for Christians, blue for Zororastrians), thus making it easier for them to be discriminated against and avoided.

While I am not normally a proponent of mixing sports and politics, this is state-sanctioned discrimination on a par with what the Nazi's did before World War Two by requiring Jews to wear yellow stars.

Since nothing the UN seems to say or do seems to have gotten Ahmenijad's attention, is it time to try another strategy? If Iran were to be banned from the World Cup, there is little doubt that popular opinion would turn against him and the general populace would begin to question his leadership. In fact, a World Cup ban may be the single most effective diplomatic tool the rest of the world has at its disposal.

And before people ask, there is precedent for this, as both South Africa and the former Yugoslavia had international sports bans placed on them because of their political actions.

Thoughts?

The Iranian team is for the people the players and their families and the proud Iranian people abroad . They do not play FOR the government . The players do not make this stupid policy , the sport will be around long after these idiots that are in charge are gone .

Let them participate and don't mix football with stupidity.

[ShaRule]

bullshit

[McGinty]

Unless you can give me proof that Mehdi Mahdavikia determines Iranian public policy, Iran should play in the World Cup. Banning them would only punish innocent players, and banning Iran would only galvanize support for extremists in Iran.

[boshveg]

As people may or may not know, the Iranian parliament recently passed a law requiring non-muslims to wear identifying strips of cloth on their clothing in order to identify them to muslims (yellow for Jews, red for Christians, blue for Zororastrians), thus making it easier for them to be discriminated against and avoided.



this is utter bullsh!t!

Provide your source or get banned! Ignorant racist prick!

I am not defending that government but stories some people make up to get some attension just pisses me off!

I can't believe mods let these threads stay open and people such as him get away with their insulting flaming remarks!:mad::mad::mad:

[mfw13]

First off all, I should add that although this was reported in the Canadian Post this morning, there are now some questions as to the reports veracity.

My logic in suggesting banning Iran from the World Cup is that if Iran is banned it would cause the general Iranian populace to take a second look at Ahmenijad's policies and to blame him and his policies for getting Iran banned. Of course, it is also possible that such a course of action would also just serve to stoke further resentment towards the west, even though FIFA is an international organization.

As to those who argue that the players are faultless and should not be harmed by the actions of politicians...perhaps yes, perhaps no. After all they are Iranian citizens, not just football players, and many of them may have voted for Ahmenijad and/or support his policies. If they do not speak out against this type of discrimination (if the report is true), then they are just as culpable and complicit as any other Iranian citizen.

[ShaRule]

I can't believe it you guys and politicians talk about excluding Iran from the world cup just 20 days till it begins!

70+ million iranians are waiting for this for more than 4 yrs, we, iranian fans are soo passionate and it would kill us if iran would get excuded!

[1fulhamfan]

Reports are unconfirmed...
Here's an article. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060519/wl_canada_afp/iranrightsreligion)

If this were confirmed... holy crap! But, it's not.

[mfw13]

ShaRule....yes it would kill you (and every other member of the Iranian public) to be excluded from the World Cup...maybe that's what it'll take to get Iranian citizens to think a little bit more carefully about who they choose to elect President...

[ShaRule]

ShaRule....yes it would kill you (and every other member of the Iranian public) to be excluded from the World Cup...maybe that's what it'll take to get Iranian citizens to think a little bit more carefully about who they choose to elect President...

none of the candidates where good enough..they're all mullahs..

and pls watch your mouth, I'm not even an iranian citizen

usa chose Bush for 2 times!!!!!

[ShaRule]

and did you know there's a christian who plays for IMNT

his name is Andrenik Timotian Teymourian..

[Persian_Prince]

As people may or may not know, the Iranian parliament recently passed a law requiring non-muslims to wear identifying strips of cloth on their clothing in order to identify them to muslims (yellow for Jews, red for Christians, blue for Zororastrians), thus making it easier for them to be discriminated against and avoided.

While I am not normally a proponent of mixing sports and politics, this is state-sanctioned discrimination on a par with what the Nazi's did before World War Two by requiring Jews to wear yellow stars.

Since nothing the UN seems to say or do seems to have gotten Ahmenijad's attention, is it time to try another strategy? If Iran were to be banned from the World Cup, there is little doubt that popular opinion would turn against him and the general populace would begin to question his leadership. In fact, a World Cup ban may be the single most effective diplomatic tool the rest of the world has at its disposal.

And before people ask, there is precedent for this, as both South Africa and the former Yugoslavia had international sports bans placed on them because of their political actions.

Thoughts?
Another Israeli lobbyist writing bullshit on free for all forums. Your post is full of lies.

South Africa and Yugoslavia had discrimiated and killed thousands of people outside of their own race. Iran, on the other hand, has dozens of different ethnic groups living inside its borders peacefully. What has Iran done? Enrich Uranium? Oh no, they enriched uranium, let's ban them from the WC. But let's not talk about Israel killing thousands of Palestinian children!!! Israel, on the other hand, has built a wall to separate the rightful owners of Palestine from entering a stolen land called Israel. If anything, its' Israel who should be banned, not only from FIFA competitions, but from contact with the rest of the world, until the rights of Palestinians is restored.

I will be contacting BS to have this obviousy political attack on the Iranian football team removed. This is stupid!

[PimFortuynsGhost]

Read the bloody story--mfm was just raising an issue:

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=398274b5-9210-43e4-ba59-fa24f4c66ad4&k=28534

Gee, it wasn't too long until lies of the quality of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion started to rear their ugly heads. If anyone is guilty of racism, its you.

[mfw13]

I wonder if Teymourian will speak out against this if it turns out to be true?

And while Bush was elected once (the 2000 election was stolen), roughly half the country, myself included, voted against him. Many Americans hate his guts and are appalled by him.

Ahmenijad appears to still hold widespread support because of his nationalistic tone, and very few dissidents have spoken up against him (possibly because they are all in jail).

Regardless, the one piece of leverage that the rest of the world has to try to turn Iranian public opinion against Ahmenijad would be to ban Iran from the World Cup and hope the public blames Ahmenijad rather than FIFA and the west. That's why I started this thread in the first place...

[mfw13]

Persian Prince...since you so unnecessarily (and incorrectly) attacked me...and since you live in Iran and are presumably an Iranian citizen, let me ask you a question...

1) Did you vote for Ahmenijad?
2) If this report is true, do you support this law?

If your answer to either of these questions is yes...then I suggest you look in the mirror before calling anybody else a racist.

And note that that I think its perfectly fine for Iran to be developing its own nuclear program and very hypocritical of countries who already have nukes to try to keep other countries from developing them.

[bright]

A nice gesture, and more powerful than a FIFA ban, would be the Iranian players all wearing yellow, red, and blue armbands. I have heard that the Iranian people for the most part do not support their government. If this is true, do Iran's players have the balls to defy it publically?

- Paul

[hanul21]

although i agree with mfw13 that what the iranian government is about to do (make non-muslims wear stripes of colors to in a way "discriminate") the players arent the ones running the government. let Iran participate, now if the Iranian players were all involved in some sort of murder/terrorist attack/kidnapping, maybe AT THAT MOMENT could they be banned. the players did nothing wrong, never let sports mix with politics.

[Emrah_Tr]

f..ck off all racists from here!!!