Why I rooted for the Iranian Football Team

And furthermore, why people 'protesting' against the iranians are not terribly bright.

The Iranian Theocracy, despite all outward appearances, hate football. Immediately after the end of the democratic phase of the revolution it was frowned upon and even briefly banned. Eventually the government realized that they did not want to force the iranian people to choose between football and the theocracy, because football would most likely win.

So, the theocracy grudginly accepted it, and now claims to support it. But it is clear that they do not, because it causes such disorder. After every iranian victory, there is dancing, drinking, singing and celebration. Men and women celebrate together for several days, and the government cannot control it because it is a massive patriotic outburst. It is difficult for them to restore order, and when the government is a repressive theocracy, disorder is good.

The Iranian National Football Team represents the people of iran, not the government. The government hates football as they hate most forms of fun. They are the islamic equivilant of puritians, which means that doing anything fun becomes a revolutionary activity.