sport news USA presser cut short after Iranian reporter calls on press officer to 'respect ... trends now
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The USMNT's Sunday press conference was abruptly cut short after an Iranian journalist called on the team's director of communications to 'respect international media' in a testy exchange.
The remark comes after team USA's official social media accounts displayed Iran's national flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, to show 'our support for the women in Iran with our graphic for 24 hours.'
The absence of the emblem comes as monthslong demonstrations have challenged Iran's government since the Sept. 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by the country's morality police.
And the decision from the US Soccer Federation seems to have severely angered the Iranian government, with them calling for FIFA to kick the USA out of the World Cup and be banned for 10 games.
'I just want to point it out that the media officer of US national soccer team should respect international media,' journalist Shervin Taheri said.
'This is the World Cup. This is not the MLS Cup. Thank you very much.'
Walker Zimmerman said the team is 'huge supporters' of women's rights during the session
