You gotta fight for yo' rights.

[bunnysayboo.livejournal.com]

First, I apologize that I am treading on zzzo 's Korean fierceness, but this article was important and I'm sure even the they would approve of spreading the news.

The World Cup qualifier in South Korea turned into anti-government protest on part of Islamic republic's national team players, who wore green wristbands to show their support for defeated presidential candidate

The team suffered a different kind of blow with the South Korean team's equalizer just before the end of the match, which badly harmed their chances of taking part in the World Cup next summer.

Iranians in Seoul are taking advantage of a World Cup football qualifier to denounce their government amid allegations of election rigging at home.

A conservative website in Iran reported that all the team players walked onto the field wearing green wristbands expect for one player - Mehdi Mahdavikia, who wore a white wristband in support of Ahmadinejad.

According to this report as well, all the players were instructed to remove the band during half time, apart from Mahdavikia, who kept the white wristband on till the end of the game.

Iranian bloggers rushed to upload photos from the match and praised the players' move. The responses ranged between "bravo" and "excellent", as well as "with such a beautiful thing the result no longer matters".

One of the bloggers wrote, "We need no help, our football team did the green work for us."

Before the match, dozens of Iranians staged a protest to condemn the weekend election results that gave Ahmadinejad a second term.

They unfurled a banner that read, "Go to Hell Dictator," and chanted, "Compatriots, we will be with you to the end with the same heart," during the protest outside a Seoul stadium.

Protesters said they would display the banner during the match.

[source]

Comments

[blumenfeuer.livejournal.com]

good for them, hopefully none of them get hurt for it.
also I'm kinda surprised the media reported it, but I guess everyone would have come to the conclusion anyway.

[biznass.livejournal.com]

1. omg shinee
2. ugh that was such a beautiful/brave/amazing thing they did, and it's really a shame the way things are turning out over there :'(

[offthebalcony.livejournal.com]

Oh man, this entire Iran thing is breaking my heart. My thoughts are with them and yeah, that was an amazing thing those players did. Respect <3

[labelledcaustic.livejournal.com]

This is what mega sporting events, filmed and broadcast live over the world can do.

We saw this at the 1968 Olympics when Tommie Smith and John Carlos were on the medal platform with the Black Power salute. Those two were expelled from the Olympics.

We can only hope the Iranian Football Team do not suffer any worse than that for expressing political views when they return home.

[ipomoea.livejournal.com]

Good for them for standing up for their rights, I just hope they can go home safely.

[elementarystars.livejournal.com]

I love that this happens in football. I just hope it doesn't have any repercussions for anyone involved.

[epouvante.livejournal.com]

that is so fantastic. i hope they stay safe.

[plu178.livejournal.com]

Whilst I'm happy that they are trying to make a stand, I'm worried that they will end up getting hurt. I hope that is not the case.

[arooj.livejournal.com]

Good on them..

Park scored today :D

[ruginthesky.livejournal.com]

Good for the players in supporting their people!
The more attention the harder it will be for the government.

[sarah-whatt.livejournal.com]

awesomeawesomeawesome.

Fun Facchht of the day: a third of Iran's population is under 33.

GO YOUTH GO

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

Awesome.

[november-7th.livejournal.com]

That's amazing, well done. I'm proud they're standing up for their rights.

[vivajenn.livejournal.com]

I love that football can also be a platform for political expression as well. I hope they are able to qualify.

[kryptongirl.livejournal.com]

This is awesome. :')

[sevendamnit.livejournal.com]

That is super brave and just really cool.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_almagitana/]

Fantastic <3333

[shadow-sea.livejournal.com]

This is just amazing

[karen-ronaldo.livejournal.com]

awwwwwwww so cool :)

[romine.livejournal.com]

The power of football, people. What a statement.

[zzzo.livejournal.com]

(http://tinypic.com)

[m0jit0.livejournal.com]

That was amazing. I'm so glad to hear news like this. It's so touching to see these kind of manifestations. I just really really hope they will not get hurt.