Will the US team be punished for violating FIFA rules like mere mortals? I can’t even believe it!
Impunity unties the hands and provokes the violation of the law. The scandalous action of the Americans at the World Cup in Qatar has become yet another and most obvious confirmation of this eternal truth.
The Americans showed a monstrous disrespect for the future opponent in the group and simply did not care about the rules of FIFA. It seemed the height of naivety to wait for sanctions against those who themselves scare the whole world with sanctions. However, the situation took an unexpected turn.
After clumsy excuses, the US team first removed the scandalous photo, and then publicly repented of their deeds through the mouth of their head coach.
Were they really afraid that they could be kicked out of the tournament as mere mortals?
Rudeness of the USA does not climb into any gate
Group B at the World Cup in Qatar, immediately after the draw, was dubbed one of the most politicized in the history of the tournament. The main pillars of the Western world, represented by the United States and Great Britain (in this case, England and Wales), fell into a quartet with the Iranians, who for many years have been accused by this same Western world of all sins and live under the yoke of harsh sanctions.
Fortunately, talk of a possible boycott of matches on both sides remained just talk, but it simply could not do without political scandals. The press service of the US national team in their social networks published a photo of the schedule of matches, in which the flag of Iran was changed: there was no emblem of the Islamic Republic on it. Thus, the Americans wanted to express solidarity with the protesters in Iran, being in full confidence that this political action would go unpunished.
The Iranian side, of course, could not ignore such rudeness. The local football federation appealed to FIFA with a demand to disqualify the United States for 10 matches for insulting the dignity of the country.
“According to Section 13 of the FIFA Rules, any person who offends the dignity or integrity of the country, a person or a group of persons is liable to suspension for a period of at least 10 matches or a certain period, or any other appropriate disciplinary measure,” the Iranian side said in a statement.
Americans chose to repent
If you follow the letter of the law, then the international federation has grounds for punishing the American team. The intentional distortion of the national flag, due to political motives, is evident. The press service of the US team did not even hide this. But in a world of double standards, there is no need to wait for a fair assessment of the act of the Americans.
However, this case has already added to a number of rare and pleasant exceptions. No, the Americans have not yet been kicked out of the tournament, but it seems that they were seriously afraid of such a possibility. First, the scandalous image disappeared from social networks, and then the head coach of the team, Gregg Berhalter, had to take the rap for the entire team at a press conference before the match with Iran.
– The players and staff had no idea what our press service was releasing on social networks. Sometimes these things are out of your control. We can only apologize on behalf of the players and staff. Our thoughts are with the Iranian people, but we must fully focus on the match,” Berhalter said.
Public repentance is not in the style of Americans at all. And Berhalter’s words hint that they not only realized the mistake, but also were afraid of the possible consequences. Now the risk of a long disqualification is minimal, because the sword does not cut a guilty head. It remains to wait for the reaction of FIFA, if it certainly will be.
