While the fighting continues in the streets of Tehran over the disputed Presidential election, several members of the Iranian National Soccer team took the field in an World Cup qualifying match in South Korea to show their support for the opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi (notice the green wristbands worn by Mohammed Ali Karimi above).
Hopefully their show of support does not cost them anything more than a possible fine. Iran, of all the Middle Eastern country countries, has actually shown a decent level of tolerance in terms of political protest of its leaders over the years. So the soccer players aren't likely in much danger, but their protest speaks volumes.
What are your thoughts though on political protests in sports? There have been many over the years, from Muhammad Ali refusing to go to Vietnam to the 1968 Black Power salute during the 1968 Olympics. Should athletes take the bold step of taking a stand on controversial political issues? Or should they be more like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, as in, let's keep our mouths shut and keep pocketing money.
Let us know below.
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