Pride, protest, and politics at Seattle’s World Cup Match

Hours before the match between Egypt and Iran kicked-off in Seattle, the streets of Pioneer Square echoed with protest chants.

People showed up in rainbow for Pride Month, and to protest the two countries that each have laws effectively criminalizing homosexuality.

Iranian-Americans marched in protest of the Iranian government, and their conservative stance on civil rights.

As one Egyptian fan told KUOW, “it wouldn’t be soccer without a little bit of politics.”

Friday night’s game was designated the Pride Match by the local organizing committee in Seattle when the city first found out it would be hosting the world cup in June.

When FIFA assigned Egypt and Iran to play the match, by chance, both governments opposed the Pride theme.

In response, queer soccer fans in Seattle showed up Friday afternoon loud and proud.

“Initially, I was actually just gonna wear the hat, but when I saw that both countries petitioned FIFA to not allow any rainbow, I was like, well, kinda have to go all out now, ” said Brandon Christopher from Tacoma.

Christopher was easy to spot downtown: while everyone else was either wearing red for Egypt or green and white for Iran – Christopher was in head-to-toe rainbow.

He wasn’t the only one: many fans wore a combination of soccer jerseys with rainbow or trans Pride flags.

Christopher says he has this message for all the people visiting Seattle for the games.

“This city loves you,” he said, “it loves whoever you are, whoever you choose to love, you will be welcome here.”

“SOS for Iran”

The largest protest before the match was led by Iranian-Americans opposed to the government and politics of Iran.

Many protesters waived the Lion and Sun flag, a symbol of opposition to the current Iranian regime.

“Our message is simple: SOS for Iran,” said Maryam Noori, originally from Tehran, “please save Iran.”

Noori, who now lives in Vancouver, B.C., said she was not rooting for her home country’s team.

“They represent the Islamic Republic regime – they do represent us,” she said,” so I cannot support them.”

The protest marched peacefully from Occidental Square to the stadium where the two teams got ready before the match.

“They’re our brothers”

The match itself had a different vibe than the first three played in Seattle. Friday’s game was not at noon, but at 8 at night. Bars were full, people moseyed around after work, and the watch party in Pioneer Square was packed building-to-building.

The biggest cheers came for Egypt – and when an Iranian goal was overturned.

Though some fans said they are still for rooting for Iran – or at least the people from there.

“They’re our brothers, you know?” said, Tony Marichi, “so we have to stick together in this.”

He is an Egypt fan and hopes that team makes it all the way through the World Cup.

“But they’re kind of going through a lot right now,” Marichi said,” so we’re all family.”