Mehdi Taj, chairman of the Iranian Football Federation, said according to ISNA that both Iran and Egypt have raised "objections to this" and called it an "irrational move that supports a certain group," without specifically mentioning the promotion of the pride match.
On Monday, Iranian state television reported that the federation will “appeal” to the International Football Association Board (FIFA) on the matter.
In Iran, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death.
The match will be played on June 26 and coincides with Seattle Pride. The local organizing committee in Seattle announces on its website that FIFA has nothing to do with the pride match.
When the World Cup was played in Qatar in 2022, where homosexuality is also banned, Denmark, Germany and England, among others, wanted to play with the "One Love" armband - as a tribute to the LGBTQI movement - but FIFA banned it.
