Tehran's Friday Prayer Leader: Saudi Arabia is Upset Over the Mourning at Azadi Stadium

The Friday Prayer Leader of Tehran stated that during the football match between Iran and South Korea, 'no disrespect occurred,' and referring to writings from a Saudi Arabian newspaper, he said: 'Saudi Arabia was very upset that Azadi Stadium was draped in black.' According to ISNA news agency, Ahmad Khatami said in his sermon on October 13 that 'devout individuals' were worried before the match, but not only was 'no disrespect shown,' but Azadi Stadium became 'a complete mourning house.' He mentioned without naming the source that a Saudi newspaper reported that Iranian spectators 'turned the stadium into a mourning house' and instead of celebrating, 'performed their religious rituals in the stadium.' The Tehran Friday Prayer Leader added: 'It is clear they were very upset; let them burn and die.' He also stated that the match 'went well,' but 'officials should take measures to avoid such overlaps' and that the excuse that there was not enough time to change the match time 'is not acceptable.' Mohammad Yazdi, Secretary-General of the Society of Teachers of Qom Seminary, several conservative figures, and some members of parliament had called for changing the time of the Iran-South Korea football match or canceling it due to its coincidence with the day of Ashura. Abdolmajid Mohtasham, Secretary-General of the Ansar Hezbollah group, had predicted two days before the match that it 'would not take place without incident.' In contrast, Ali Motahari, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, described this approach in a letter to Mohammad Yazdi as 'unacceptable' and 'reminiscent of the medieval church.' Before the start of the match between Iran and South Korea at Azadi Stadium, a mourning ceremony was held, and many spectators wore black clothing. Additionally, Azadi Stadium was covered with black cloth, and the stadium flags were replaced with black flags. The change in the atmosphere of Azadi Stadium went so far that security officials covered the arms of South Korean journalists with black armbands upon their entry to the stadium. Mehdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Federation, stated before the match that despite FIFA's prohibition, Iran would carry out its activities within the framework of 'religious rituals' and would stand by the FIFA penalties. Some spectators reported on social media that the police prevented horns from entering the stadium. Meanwhile, reports indicated that several security forces were present in the stands of the stadium.