Fifa faces lawsuit over ban on pre-revolutionary Iranian flag

A lawsuit has been filed against Fifa over its ban on supporters bringing the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag into stadiums during this summer's World Cup.

The Institute for Voices of Liberty, a California-based non-profit organisation that advocates freedom of expression for Iranians, had warned last month that it would pursue legal action if Fifa moved to exclude the Lion and Sun flag.

Yesterday (11 June), the group filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, arguing that displaying the flag constitutes protected symbolic and political speech and warrants immediate judicial intervention.

The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the ban is unlawful under California law, permission for supporters to carry the flag into World Cup venues, and compensatory damages for any individual barred from attending matches because of possession of the flag.

Fifa will have the opportunity to respond to the claims.

The pre-revolutionary Iranian flag closely resembles the country's current official flag but features a lion and sun emblem at its centre.

It is associated with Iran's former Shah-led regime, which was overthrown in 1979.

In the filing, Institute for Voices of Liberty director Sam Kermanian said he intends to bring the flag to matches at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

He argued that California's constitutional free-speech protections apply because World Cup venues serve as large public gathering spaces open to the general public.

When asked by The Athletic last month whether the flag would be permitted, Fifa responded by providing a list of prohibited items.

The list includes "any materials, including but not limited to banners, flags, fliers, apparel and other paraphernalia, that are of a political, offensive and/or discriminatory nature, containing wording, symbols or any other attributes aimed at discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group on account of race, skin colour, ethnicity, national or social origin, gender identity and expression, disability, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, birth, wealth or any other status, sexual orientation or on any other grounds."

Although it is presumed Fifa considers the pre-revolutionary flag political in nature, the governing body has not specified which regulation it is deemed to violate.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, some supporters were forced to surrender the flag during stadium searches, while others were allowed to bring it inside.

The Iranian Football Federation had previously submitted a list of demands to Fifa to ensure its participation in the World Cup, including respect for the Iranian flag and enhanced security at locations the team would visit.

The United States-Israel war with Iran began in February.

Fifa also faced a similar controversy earlier this week after instructing Haiti to modify a kit depicting rebels raising the Haitian flag during the Battle of Vertières, saying the design was political in nature.

The Haitian Revolution, which took place more than 200 years ago, is recognised as the only successful slave revolt in recorded history to result in a nation governed by former captives.