04/18/24
June 17, 2009
Iranian Soccer Players Wear Green Protest Arm Bands: During today's World Cup qualifier against South Korea in Seoul, five players for the Iranian national team wore green armbands or wristbands, a sign of apparent solidarity with the Mir Hossein Mousavi supporters taking to the streets in the wake of Iran's disputed presidential election. Though some players removed the bands at halftime, captain Mehdi Mahdavikia wore his throughout the match. Iran's qualification chances in Asia group 2 hang on the match, which ended 1-1.
I've got to wonder what kind of threats they received at halftime. Very courageous of all of them. I've been glued to the Daily Dish, which has been posting Iran info nonstop since the election.
posted by dusted at 05:16 PM on June 17, 2009
Utterly off-topic but if you're interested in Iran you should read up on the UK and US sponsored coup in the 1950's that removed the democratically elected ruler.
It's funny how we hear all this about Iran and democracy in the Middle East. Iran WAS a democracy until the very people saying now about bringing democracy to the Middle East overthrew the government there.
As for the players, that is bloody brave. And their captain... Now THAT is a team captain.
posted by Drood at 06:26 PM on June 17, 2009
Drood, I don't think the same people are talking "about bringing democracy to the Middle East" right now. I'm pretty sure they're all dead.
Pretty bold move by those athletes. I wonder if they'll actually step on a pitch again, or if they'll conveniently go missing in the near future.
posted by wfrazerjr at 07:39 PM on June 17, 2009
Also amusing is the same people who said we need to "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" are the ones saying we need to intervene in the Iranian elections and be bold and do something.
posted by igottheblues at 08:28 PM on June 17, 2009
I wonder if they'll actually step on a pitch again, or if they'll conveniently go missing in the near future.
Sadly, I'm going to guess option #2...
posted by docshredder at 08:32 PM on June 17, 2009
I don't know docshredder. These people are actually attacking Baseej HQ buildings. They ain't taking anyone's shit this time.
posted by NoMich at 09:08 PM on June 17, 2009
I don't know docshredder. These people are actually attacking Baseej HQ buildings. They ain't taking anyone's shit this time.
That may be true, but it didn't stop the militia from shooting into a crowd of protesters...
posted by docshredder at 12:22 AM on June 18, 2009
That dude is fucking brave. He's not some baclava-wearing student. He's got a lot on the line. Pretty impressive.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:40 PM on June 18, 2009
Utterly off-topic but if you're interested in Iran you should read up on the UK and US sponsored coup in the 1950's that removed the democratically elected ruler
hmmm, that's odd considering that the Pahlavi dynasty ruled Iran from 1925 until 1979 when the Ayatollah Khomeini gained power. Now, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi did allow some elections for their version of a parliment, however most were very corrupt elections, and most of the top elected leaders were quickly removed from power by the Shah. Some of which were jailed or executed.
But, back to the players, very gutsy of them, I hope they do not suffer for this.
posted by dviking at 10:35 PM on June 18, 2009
Baclava wearing? eewww
posted by bobfoot at 11:44 PM on June 18, 2009
FWIW, while I love wearing Greek pastries on my face, I think WeedyMcSmokey meant balaclava (which I also love eating).
posted by dirigibleman at 12:30 AM on June 19, 2009
hmmm, that's odd ...
Obama admits US involvement in 1953 Iran coup
posted by rcade at 01:42 PM on June 19, 2009
In Iranian politics the Prime Minister was a puppet figure that ruled at the mercy of the Shah. Not much has changed over there in 50 years. The current elections point this out...yes, elected...honestly, probably not...is their President in charge?...nope, the Ayatollah is still the supreme power.
Back to the 1950's. at one point the Shah replaced 6 Prime Ministers within a period of three years. Some were imprisioned, one was executed. Was the West often involved in political dealings in the Middle East, working to get people that were unfavorable to their desires out...absolutely, I'm sure the West has tried to influence politics in countries all over the world. Just as anti-western groups have as well. Nothing new there, and nothing to apologize for either (IMHO)
To say that the Iran had a democratically elected ruler is to mislabel what they had. The fact that our current leader seems hellbent on apologizing for all past sins, real or percieved, is another issue.
Sorry if that is too political...bash me if you want.
posted by dviking at 02:24 PM on June 19, 2009
No, I meant baclava. It's delicious and can disguise the face admirably. Fantastic stuff.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:16 PM on June 19, 2009
Iran bans election protest footballers
[via Trox on Twitter-- at least I think that's him]
posted by yerfatma at 02:19 PM on June 23, 2009
Wow, that feels really brave given the increasing government response to protests.