According to reports, FIFA have managed to ban fans from one nation from bringing their own flags to World Cup games this summer. The ruling was upheld after a last-minute hearing in Los Angeles on Monday.

The team in question are Iran. Their supporters will no longer be able to wave pre-revolutionary flags at their matches in the United States this summer. They have games to come against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, which all take place in the US.

There is a current conflict between the two nations, and it was unclear if Iran would be able to compete at the tournament. They were supposed to have their training camp in Tucson, Arizona, but that was moved to Tijuana, Mexico. There have also been claims that they will only be allowed into the US to play their matches, before then immediately flying out of the country.

Judge Explains Reason For Iran Flag Ban

As first reported by The Athletic, FIFA have won the case to ban Iran fans from bringing pre-revolutionary flags to SoFi Stadium for their World Cup opener against New Zealand.

The flag is similar to the country’s official flag but features a lion and sun motif in the standard’s centre.

It was the subject of a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday by the Institute for Voice of Liberty and Sam Kermanian, an Iran fan intending to go to the game. Just hours before their match against the All Whites, it was ruled that the ban should be allowed to stand.

Judge Curtis A. Kin said:

The flag in question is historically associated with the country’s previous Shah-led regime, which was deposed in 1979. Judge Kin explained his reasoning, adding: “There may be harm to some 2,500 staff members who have to deal with safety protocols.

“It is a tremendous burden to change a long-standing stadium protocol for a massive event in a period of hours. It is hard to see how FIFA could make a change at one stadium and not the rest.” He argued a stadium, where a ticket for entry is required, is not pubic like a park or a street.

FIFA Deem Pre-Revolutionary Iran Flags As ‘Political’ in Nature

Lawyer Shahrokh Mokhtarzadeh, representing Iran fan Kermanian, argued that the World Cup is a joint venture between FIFA and governments and therefore the stadium is taking on a public forum. Speaking on behalf of 5,000 members of the Institute for Voice of Liberty:

“They are ticket holders, with a right to attend game with their own flag. This is being violated. It may be trivial to many, to them it is critical. There is a huge Iranian community in California, many are not going to want to walk in with Islamic Republic flag. They are being denied their exercise of free speech. This is not someone yelling fire in a theatre.”

Judge Kin responded: “So you could walk in with a Nazi flag or Confederate flag or Soviet flag or that of the KKK?” To which Mokhtarzadeh claimed that those people should also be protected by the right to free speech. He added: “Denial will cause more problems than are lost. (Allowing the lion and sun flag) is a way of preventing problems in the stadium. Right to free speech far outweighs any concern FIFA may have.”

FIFA appear to have taken issue with the pre-revolutionary flag, as it has been deemed “political” in nature. A source inside FIFA with direct knowledge of its position told The Athletic that this is the case.

On that, a past statement explained what ‘materials’ would not be allowed in World Cup stadiums: “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.”

As a footballer, Rafael van der Vaart was capable of spectacular moments. As a pundit, however, he seems interested only in making headlines with eye-catching statements.

The Netherlands kicked off their World Cup campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw with Japan. Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring before Keito Nakamura levelled things up. Crysencio Summerville then gave the Dutch a 2-1 lead before Daichi Kamada hit an 89th-minute equaliser.

After the match, Van der Vaart accused captain and goalscorer Van Dijk of turning ‘like a Boeing 747.’ Criticism like that is one thing, but his following comments about the Japanese players crossed the line, and the former Tottenham and Real Madrid man is now facing a huge backlash online.

Rafael van der Vaart Makes Offensive Claim About Japan Stars

As quoted by Goal, Van der Vaart took issue with Micky van de Ven’s efforts in the game. He began: I then became interested in Micky van de Ven’s role. He was close to Ogawa.

“He completely lost sight of him. You can see him running around. If you’re man-marking, you’re responsible for your man. It’s very difficult to pass it on to someone else… You see, he’s completely free. Van de Ven has disappeared. He can head the ball without any opposition.”

“A perfect corner is very difficult to defend,” he added. “This one had the right speed, just over the five-yard line. With a bit of luck, it would have gone in, but the corner was brilliant.”

Van der Vaart then made reference to a racist stereotype as he concluded his analysis, by suggesting that Van de Ven was confused by his opposition players:

When the comments appeared online, fans were quick to call them out as racist. One fan said:

Another added: “Oh man. It was such a good match, but now it leaves a really bad aftertaste all at once. Of course, I know that most Dutch people aren’t like this racist, but it’s just too disappointing.”

A third word: “I’ve always thought this guy’s got a rotten personality deep down so it’s no surprise that’s all…” Another said: “Van der Vaart’s totally messed up.” While someone else said: “Yea, that’s messed up”

One more summed up the feelings of many, writing:

A final fan concluded: “Oh he’s definitely going to lose his job.”

Tottenham are at risk of missing out on a deal to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent deal this summer, as a rival to the midfielder’s signature has arrived on the scene.

Spurs are seemingly keen on a return for Palhinha, after the Portuguese star left quite the impression during his loan spell with the club over the past season.

While the side lacked plenty of quality in the central ranks, the 30-year-old brought grit and determination with his arrival from Bayern Munich, and plenty of ability out of possession.

The former Fulham man also threw in a couple of important goals during his time, helping Tottenham avoid relegation into the Championship on the final day of the campaign.

While there was a £26 million clause in Palhinha‘s deal, Spurs decided against triggering it, but reports claim that the side have been pushing to sign the midfielder at a reduced fee.

While that may seem like smart business, they are now at risk of missing out altogether.

Joao Palhinha Transfer Risk

via Reuters

While Tottenham have shown interest in a return for Palhinha, a report from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claims that another team are now in the mix for his signature.

It’s stated that Portuguese side Sporting CP are hoping to seal a return for the midfielder, who came through the club’s ranks and made just shy of 100 appearances with before leaving for the Premier League.

That deal comes as part of a wider transfer thread, as Atletico Madrid look to seal a move for Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand in their midfield.

Palhinha is viewed as the replacement for Hjulmand, creating a transfer domino effect that is starting to fall in favour of the midfielder returning to Portugal.

That means Tottenham are at risk of missing out on a player who has been described as “best in the world” and ‘one of the best’ by De Zerbi with his ability in the middle of the park.

It remains to be seen whether the Lilywhites will step up their transfer interest as a result, or whether they will regret not triggering the release clause in the original deal with Bayern Munich.

Tottenham Midfield Refresh

There is no denying that Palhinha was key to digging Tottenham out of the mess the club found itself in at the latter end of the season, hence why so many fans liked the passion and determination the midfielder showed.

However, his role in the struggle Spurs faced cannot be removed from the campaign as a result, as he also played a part in the issues the team faced.

On the ball, Palhinha wasn’t as comfortable building from the back, with De Zerbi often shifting him into the full-back areas when in settled possession.

His off the ball quality could be useful, but Tottenham need a full midfield refresh with players who offer more quality when receiving the ball from the backline.

Losing Palhinha could be a blow in one area, but a chance to rebuild the squad in another way, one that focuses less on athleticism and more on quality.