The unfriendly friendly

USA v Iran. The soccer game that lead to death threats and the closure of US airspace

An episode of the Amazing Sport Stories podcast, hosted by BBC World Service, titled "The unfriendly friendly" was published on January 22, 2024 and runs 12 minutes.

January 22, 2024 ·12m · Amazing Sport Stories

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Summary

It’s 1998 and Iran have just played the USA in one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the World Cup in France. Now on the eve of the final, in a building on the Champs-Elysees, two acquaintances – one Iranian, one American – are hatching a plan. They’re hoping to change geopolitics, through football. This is the story how their idea for a simple friendly match would lead to death threats, an FBI decoy and the closure of American airspace. Audio scenes have been re-created. Let us know what you think #AmazingSportStories

Episode Description

It’s 1998 and Iran have just played the USA in one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the World Cup in France. Now on the eve of the final, in a building on the Champs-Elysees, two acquaintances – one Iranian, one American – are hatching a plan. They’re hoping to change geopolitics, through football. This is the story how their idea for a simple friendly match would lead to death threats, an FBI decoy and the closure of American airspace.

Audio scenes have been re-created. Let us know what you think #AmazingSportStories

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