Online Public Relations Thoughts

Iranian officials are calling for the US to be booted out of the World Cup because the US Soccer Federation displayed an Iranian flag without the symbols on it.  The Federation said it took the action to show support for the women of Iran.  It would be like showing the US flag without stars.  The action was dumb.  There was no need to anger Iran and the communications of support for women could have been done another way.  Flags hold meaning for nations and dissing them is an insult. The US Soccer Federation certainly understood that but went ahead anyway.  The result?  An international controversy that the US team doesn't need and didn't ask for.  It would be far better if US sports officials stayed out of diplomacy.