SAEDNEWS: Iranian-Australian referee Alireza Faghani sparked online outrage after sharing a warm selfie with former U.S. President Donald Trump moments after officiating the Club World Cup final.
According to Saed News, Alireza Faghani, the Iranian-born referee based in Australia, was at the center of controversy following Chelsea’s 3–0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s FIFA Club World Cup final. After receiving his officiating award from Donald Trump—who was present as a guest—the veteran referee exchanged greetings and posed for a commemorative photograph with the former U.S. President.
The timing of Faghani’s cordial interaction drew swift criticism on social media, coming only days after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian soil claimed over a thousand lives. “Taking a selfie with the man who orchestrated the 12‑day campaign against Iran feels like a betrayal,” one user posted, referencing Trump’s role in sanctioning and supporting regional military actions. Others lamented that Faghani’s actions seemed to dismiss the solidarity expressed by sports fans: during the match, PSG supporters famously waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Free Palestine” in unison, echoing scenes from last season’s Champions League final.
Although Faghani has not issued a public statement addressing the backlash, many observers note that other Iranian athletes and teams have recently performed military-style salutes to the Iranian national anthem at international events. Sports analysts suggest that referees, often apolitical by convention, may inadvertently become embroiled in geopolitical disputes when high‑profile figures are involved. As debate intensifies online, calls have emerged for clearer guidelines governing interactions between match officials and political dignitaries.
