- 10 June 2009
- 0 Comments
- Diplomacy, Events in Iran
cross posted from Democracy Arsenal:
Reports out of Iran indicate that the U.S. and Iranian soccer federations have agreed to play two friendlies – one in Tehran in October and one in LA in November. Apparently, the head of the US soccer federation and his Iranian counterpart agreed to the games at a FIFA conference in the Bahamas. But one assumes that there is no way that they made the agreement without talking to their governments first.
The follow on game in Los Angeles will also have a number of interesting subplots. Iran’s coach – presuming he still has the job in November since it is looking less likely Iran will qualify for the World Cup after the 0-0 draw in the Axis of Evil bowl with North Korea – Afshin Ghotbi is an Iranian-American and went to UCLA, along with many of the American players. There is a large Iranian population in LA and their reaction will also be interesting to watch – will there be protests? who will Iranian-Americans root for? Will the U.S. government invite an Iranian official to attend?
Should be fascinating.