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Iran – US friendly a reality …… maybe!

June 7th, 2009 | By: Afshin Afshar | 8 Comments »

Team Melli and the US team in LA in January of 2000 Fans, is this indeed the beginnings of “Football Diplomacy” that we are witnessing? It may very well be exactly that. Perhaps this could be the start of a political initiative not dissimilar to Nixon’s Ping-Pong Diplomacy.

But, we try to stay out of politics here on this blog, so let’s focus on the football angle.

If it is goes through, the two nations will play two friendly games, one in LA and another in Tehran.

According to a report published by Presstv, Iran football federation Chief Ali Kaffashian and his US counterpart Sunil Gulati had a sidebar meeting during the FIFA conference in Bahamas.

Let’s hope that football can help bring our two nations together. For me, an Iranian-American football freak, that would be a triple treat

Tags: Ali Kaffashian, Sunil Gulati, Team Melli, USA

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Comments

By mansoor | June 7th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

That would be a good match! I hope we get the team in much better shape by then, should both teams end up facing one another

By Afshin Afshar | June 7th, 2009 at 11:36 pm

Yeah, maybe we could meet at the game in LA?

By kia | June 8th, 2009 at 1:55 am

See yout there!!!

Lets meet at LA and Tehran!!!1

Posted from United States

By Afshin Afshar | June 8th, 2009 at 1:57 am

LOL! kia , LA yes, Tehran no! Well, let’s see what happens this Friday.

By Dustin | June 8th, 2009 at 3:10 am

As far as I know about Iran they really do like Americans a lot. They’ve been undergoing a social liberalization with our music and fashion that have endeared a lot of young Iranians to Americans in general. Like most countries, they don’t have a problem with the public, they have a problem with our government. This is just stuff I’ve heard from Iranian commentators and reporters the last couple years. There’s also strong youth movements towards democratic reforms and womens rights, and just a general push back against out of date traditions in Iran.

There was a Iranian soccer movie about girls sneaking into Iranian World cup qualifying games because there’s a ban on women watching them in Iran. I don’t remember it’s name anyone here know it?

Posted from United States

By Dustin | June 8th, 2009 at 3:12 am

Found it, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499537/

“Offside”

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By Afshin Afshar | June 8th, 2009 at 3:56 pm

Hi Dustin,

“Offside” was a very well made movie. I own a copy on DVD

Did you watch NBC’s Dateline on Sunday night? They had a special on Iran, and almost everyone echoed the sentiment that you mention regarding Iranians attitude towards America.

What was most interesting to me was the interview with former Iranian president who completely contradicted the current president’s sentiments on the Holocaust.

You can watch it here. I highly recommend it.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31156080#31156080

Posted from United States

By Dustin | June 8th, 2009 at 9:22 pm

This is actually a surprisingly new thing, two populations building connections while two governments fight to undermine eachother. It’s a completely new development, you wouldn’t dream of that kinda thing happening between Vietnam and US populations, or Afganistan and Soviet Union populations. It’s a sort of “globalization” that could catch on a really make a difference.

Posted from United States

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