04/18/24
March 24, 2009
Diplomacy by sport?: Two of Iran's top club soccer teams, Persepolis and Esteghlal Tehran may be traveling to the United States for a tour culminating in a match between the two clubs. The tour is still to be approved by the Iranian government, but should it occur, it could mean a large step towards peace between the two countries.
posted by boredom_08 to soccer at 06:21 PM - 5 comments
You don't reckon that it would turn into a massive anti-mullah protest by the Iranian emigrre population in the States?
Like the USA-Iran match in France '98 did for the expatriate Iranians in Europe?
posted by owlhouse at 08:36 PM on March 24, 2009
Behold the healing power of footie!
posted by Drood at 11:34 PM on March 24, 2009
"The tour is still to be approved by the Iranian government, but should it occur, it could mean a large step towards peace between the two countries." I think a large step is way, way overstating its influence. It's a soccer match; most Americans don't care about soccer and those who do aren't going to change their minds on Iranian politics because they have talented soccer players. They have nothing to do with one another.
posted by dfleming at 08:13 AM on March 25, 2009
Well, t's not just about the American perspective, dfleming. Footy is important to Iranians, and it may have more success in influencing some opinions over there.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 04:21 PM on March 27, 2009
I'd certainly attend any matches they play in my neck of the woods. Has nothing to do with the footy. World peace and all that.