Before leaving California after the 0-0 draw with Belgium, Taremi and his companions wrote in English on the tactical board: “From ancient Persia to today’s Iran the spirit remains alive and steadfast. May peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations”
After controversies, diplomatic tensions and a very delicate climate on and off the field, Iran has definitively left Los Angeles to return to its controversial retreat in Tijuana, Mexico. The last match of the group against Egypt will no longer be at SoFi, but in Seattle and could be worth a historic qualification for the knockout phase of the World Cup. Before leaving California, however, Taremi and his companions wanted to leave a memory of their passage. In the locker room used for the matches played in Los Angeles, the players hand wrote a message in English on the tactical board, a sort of open letter to the city, the fans and the Iranian community who accompanied the team during the tournament. This is the full text: “From ancient Persia thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast. We came to Los Angeles with pride, we competed with honor, and we leave with dignity. Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. And thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice, and soul for Iran during these 180 minutes. May peace, respect, and friendship prevail among all nations.”
#168 and #minab
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On the one hand, national pride, recalled from the first sentence that connects ancient Persia to contemporary Iran; on the other, gratitude towards the Iranian fans who came from all over the United States to support the team in the two matches played here and were divided into irreconcilable factions, between supporters and opponents of the ayatollahs’ regime. In addition to the call for peace, there is also recognition for the welcome received during the stay in an enemy country. At the center of the message were also two hashtags, #168 and #Minab, which became a symbol that accompanied the Iranian expedition throughout the competition. Minab is a city in southern Iran, in the province of Hormozgan, while the number 168 recalls the victims of a tragic American attack which, according to the Iranian authorities, hit a girls’ school in the same city last February.
