Gregg Berhalter apologizes for Iran flag mix up ahead of decisive game
Ahead of the tense match between USA and Iran, USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter apologizes for US Soccer’s tweet that had the Iran flag without the Islamic symbol
As if tensions in a game between Iran and USA weren’t high enough, US Soccer’s twitter account decided to post a picture of Group B with an Iran flag that didn’t have the Islamic regime’s symbol at the center of it, presumably to support the recent nationwide uprising in
Iran. USA manager Gregg Berhalter has since come out an apologized for the tweet pointing out that he and his players had nothing to do with the tweet.
"When I think about this match, I know a lot of other constituents have a lot of feelings towards it.”
Berhalter said.
"For us, it's a soccer game against a good team. It's not much more than that. It's a knockout game, both teams are desperate to go to the next round. That's how we're looking at this match."
The nationwide protests in Iran, which were prompted by a young Kurdish woman’s presumable death at the hands of government agents, have been going on since September with many reports claiming the total civilian deaths at the hands of the government around 350 people, including more than 45 children. The issue has been a point of discussion in the World Cup with many Iranians wanting their players to stand with them, going as far as booing them in their match against England as they believed the players are not doing enough.
captain Tyler Adams also showed his support for Iranian people, saying that the team "support Iran's people and Iran's team" but are "laser-focused on this match".
Berhalter addressed the tweet by saying:
"We had no idea about what US Soccer put out, the staff, the players had no idea. Our focus is on this match.
"I don't want to sound aloof or not caring in saying that, but the guys have worked really hard for the past four years.
"We have 72 hours between England and Iran, and we really are just focused on how to get past Iran and go to the knockout stage of this tournament.
"Of course our thoughts are with the Iranian people, the whole country, the whole team, everyone, but our focus is on this match."
"I can only reiterate that the players and the staff knew nothing about what was being posted. Sometimes things are out of our control.
"We believe it'll be a match where the result depends on who puts more effort on, who executes better on the field, not what happens outside.
"We can only apologise on behalf of the players and the staff. It's not something we're a part of."
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