Iranian Fans' Response to Nuclear Banner

Barry writes:

Since Saturday this blog has had more visitors from more corners of the world than ever before. A shame it had to come off the back off controversy, but such is life. The news spread all over the globe in hours, including to Iranian news sites. Here's a selection of comments from various Iranian message boards.

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Gorbi

After reading the article and watching some of the videos, I have to say that I am impressed with the Japanese fans who will not stand for such BS. I think what they had on the banner was rather dumb, but not necessarily racist. Also reading the comments left by fans, I am impressed by the responses. Looks to me like the vast majority of the fans in Japan are decent and don't care for such stupidity. Good for them, our own fans can learn a thing or two from the Japanese.

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Anon

Gorbi I disagree and think it is very racist to bring up the nationality of a coach into club rivalry. ... We Iranians have to stand up to these racist behavior.

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futbol IRAN

thats a shame considering how much Iran helped Japan during the earthquake tragedy!

tasteless and immature fans!

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Persianking

lol personally I feel not insulted by this but still a bad move , did not expect that.

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Babak agha

That's not remotely racist!!! You guys need to get the difference between racism and stereotyping ;-)

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dokhtar92irooni

That's harsh and insulting to all Iranians

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maij

That is NO WHERE near ..., I say again NO WHERE & NO WAY near a racist comment!!

You need to understand the difference between Political comment and Racist comment. That banner about Nuclear weapon production is POLITICAL not race.

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Ardalan

It may not be racism, but it sure is "loos and bimaze". Like saying, the only things Italian do is eat Spaghetti, or all Chinese people know martial arts like Jackie Chan. Ridiculous and predictable generalizing is what is it.
But then again, this does not by any means represent the view of the majority of Japanese football fans. It's just a demonstration of lousy sense of humor

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allan123

True, this only from Jubilo Iwata Fans and the Japanese people are very nice.
But This comment "To Gotbi, stop making nuclear weapons" I don't like.

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Webmaster

That is NOT a racist comment but a political one. ... I have not seen any people more polite and real than the Japanese in the entire world, so I am sure they are not meaning anything racist. (And that is the majority in my opinion)

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P.Nima

We shouldnt be angered by this at all. There were just a couple of fans behind this. The banner was quickly pulled down, they were kicked out, and the club apologized to Ghotbi. What more can you want from them?

We cant expect everyone in Japan to be homogeneously perfect, there are jackasses in every country.

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Mehran

I for one, do not find this kind of racist behavior funny. Good for the Shimizu supporters for shutting down these Jubilo little punks and their idiotic banner.

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Some people not bothered, others deeply insulted. Anyway, I guess it's time to leave this be for now while we wait for the J. League's response.

One unfortunate upshot of everything is that next year's home derby may end up now being played at Ecopa with the increased segregation and security of the newer stadium. All well and good, but it's an hour from Shimizu and ten minutes from Iwata. Not ideal. :(