GREENVILLE, NC (WITN) — People gathered Tuesday at Kick Back Jack’s restaurant to watch Team USA take on Iran at the World Cup.
Iran and the US have been at odds on the world stage for many years and more recently over Iran’s nationwide protests, expanding nuclear program and international attacks.
For retired Marine Randy Krank, there may have been an added meaning. He had a friend who was one of the hostages in Iran in 1979.
“Every team up there plays for their country and their people and they play for their nation. You’re not just playing for a flag. They’re playing for the spirit of their nation,” Kran said.
dr Hanna Kassab, an assistant professor of political science and security studies at East Carolina University, says for the regime to survive, especially an authoritative regime, they need a bad sign to point to.
“The United States is that villain. At the same time, the United States has identified Iran as a sponsor of terror. Which is true and part of the axis of evil,” said Dr. cash receipt
Drone strikes, targeted killings and sabotage have plagued the Middle East for years, since Iran pulled out of the nuclear deal with world powers in 2015. More recently, women’s rights protested and even threatened the team representing them.
“The regime has threatened to torture the families of these soccer players because they didn’t sing the national anthem – because they didn’t show any patriotism,” Kassab said.
Some here in the US may be watching for love of the country, but it’s for the game.
Sick got into soccer when his daughters started playing.
“Actually, I had to get myself a football book because I didn’t know what offside was. I was the parent who yelled at the referee every time he called offside,” Krank said.
While the two teams met on the field, they also delved into what happened between the two countries off the field.
“I find [soccer] touches the whole world,” said Krank.
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