US Soccer 'did NOT coordinate with team players, coach Gregg Berhalter, or the federal government before tweeting image of Iranian flag without the Islamic Republic emblem'
- The US Soccer social media accounts posted altered images of the Iran flag
- The pictures showed the flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic
- The posts were meant to show solidarity with women in Iran, but have caused massive diplomatic tensions. Iran is calling for the US to be punished by FIFA
- And a new report says players, coaches had no say in the matter
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
US Soccer did not consult players, coaches, or the federal government before displaying Iran's flag on official social media accounts without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, a new report said.
Ahead of the USA's Tuesday clash with Iran, the team posted an altered version of the nation's flag to Instagram and Twitter to show 'our support for the women in Iran with our graphic for 24 hours,' US Soccer said told the AP.
But players and coaches were left blindsided by the move, according to Yahoo! Sports, with the decision now causing a diplomatic firestorm as the Iranian government have called for the USA to be thrown out of the tournament.
Iran have been in a state of unrest for months after the September 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by the country's morality police, as protesters have flocked to the streets advocate for women's rights.
The protests in Iran have seen at least 450 people killed since they started, as well as over 18,000 arrested, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran.
The USMNT's director of communications, Michael Kammarman, explained the reasoning for the now-controversial posts during a Sunday press conference in Qatar.
![The USSF displayed Iran's national flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/27/21/64981283-11474439-The_USA_World_Cup_Twitter_account_has_been_referring_to_Iran_wit-a-3_1669583749535.jpg)
The USA World Cup Twitter account had been referring to Iran without the Islamic Republic emblem on it across social media
![The US Soccer federation said it omitted the emblem as a sign of solidarity for the women who are protesting for their rights in Iran](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/27/21/64981079-11474439-The_US_Soccer_federation_has_said_it_has_carried_out_the_gesture-a-4_1669583749538.jpg)
The US Soccer federation has said it has carried out the gesture as a symbol of solidarity with the women who are protesting in Iran
'The intent of the post was to show support for women's rights,' he said.
'It was meant to be a moment. We made the post at the time. All the other representations of the flag remain consistent and will continue to.'
The original posts were deleted from Instagram and Twitter afterwards.
Defender Walker Zimmerman confirmed that the players were unaware of the federation's decision to make a statement of solidarity, though he made the squad's feelings on women's rights clear.
'We didn't know anything about the post, but we are supporters of women's rights. We always have been,' he said.
'We are focused a lot on Tuesday from the sporting side as well, you know. So you mentioned it as a distraction. I think this is such a focused group on the task at hand. But at the same time, we empathize and we are firm believers in women's rights and support them.'
According to sources that spoke to Yahoo! Sports, US soccer did consult with 'Iranian American experts.'
But the report added, 'A US Department of State spokesperson confirmed in a statement that there was “no coordination on this action."'
The US face Iran needing a win to avoid elimination from the tournament.
![Walker Zimmerman said the team is 'huge supporters' of women's rights during the session](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/27/22/64991053-11475313-image-a-2_1669588599413.jpg)
Walker Zimmerman said the team is 'huge supporters' of women's rights during the session
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