The informal voluntary Basij militia and home-grown Hezbollah supporters have staged protests in Tehran and other major cities, threatening to confront fans. For them, a football match is at odds with the spirit of the sombre occasion of Ashura, which falls on Wednesday. It is a significant occasion for Shia Muslims across the world, who wear black during the whole month and participate in street ceremonies that involve mourning, beating their chests and slapping their heads. Iran’s religious state has often exploited Ashura, with the authorities using the commemorations to spread their own message. South Korean players were reportedly going to wear black armbands as a sign of respect.

Source: The Guardian October 11, 2016 13:07 UTC