Shiites on soccer

Let it be known that Iranian and Iraqi Shiites have profound policy differences. While Ahmadinejad loves kicking a ball around and just days ago lifted a ban on women in soccer stadiums, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr much prefers other sports: Why not go swimming? Swimming is encouraged, horse riding, fencing, so and so, these are ...

Let it be known that Iranian and Iraqi Shiites have profound policy differences. While Ahmadinejad loves kicking a ball around and just days ago lifted a ban on women in soccer stadiums, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr much prefers other sports:

Let it be known that Iranian and Iraqi Shiites have profound policy differences. While Ahmadinejad loves kicking a ball around and just days ago lifted a ban on women in soccer stadiums, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr much prefers other sports:

Why not go swimming? Swimming is encouraged, horse riding, fencing, so and so, these are games you can indulge yourself in; just like that distracts, these distract as well. Running! Run! Sport! Move your legs move your head move stuff, all organs move. Why everyone runs after a ball habibi?

Iraq the Model provides us both with the video and the translation of this enlightening analysis.

Actually, come to think of it, the split might have something to do with FIFA soccer rankings: Iran ranks a respectable 22nd, Iraq only 55th, behind powerhouses like Bahrain and Zimbabwe.  

Davide Berretta is a researcher at Foreign Policy.

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