Sporting his Mexico team jersey, soccer fan Alan Romero got up at 4 am on Sunday to drive from Tijuana to Los Angeles, just so he could cheer for Iran in its World Cup match against Belgium.
The 35-year-old is one of hundreds of Mexican supporters who went to SoFi Stadium to watch a match that, on first glance, had nothing to do with them.
Yet, the crowd leapt with joy when Iran's Team Melli nearly scored against Belgium's Red Devils, before the referee disallowed the goal for being offside -- earning a chorus of whistles.
"Our second team for this World Cup is Iran," Romero told AFP, taking pride in Tijuana managing to host the Iranian team at the last minute, after a series of off-field issues kept them from their US-based training camp.
With the United States' and Israel's war against Iran as a backdrop, the Persian squad has voiced complaints of unfair treatment over US visas, travel times and equity with other teams.
The 35-year-old is one of hundreds of Mexican supporters who went to SoFi Stadium to watch a match that, on first glance, had nothing to do with them.
Yet, the crowd leapt with joy when Iran's Team Melli nearly scored against Belgium's Red Devils, before the referee disallowed the goal for being offside -- earning a chorus of whistles.
"Our second team for this World Cup is Iran," Romero told AFP, taking pride in Tijuana managing to host the Iranian team at the last minute, after a series of off-field issues kept them from their US-based training camp.
With the United States' and Israel's war against Iran as a backdrop, the Persian squad has voiced complaints of unfair treatment over US visas, travel times and equity with other teams.
2 months ago
