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Ahmadinejad: Protests Like a 'Soccer Match'

Students fear violence will soon escalate

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 14, 2009 9:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – As rioters clogged the streets of Tehran for a second day burning police motorcycles and setting trash cans ablaze, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad compared them to disaffected sports fans, CNN reports. “Some people are sentimental and become excited," the Iranian president said. “I compared it to a soccer match. Their team has not won. I don't think we’ll have any serious challenges.”

Students beg to differ: A CNN producer said police have the situation under control, but youth are insisting, “This is not going away. They may stop us now but we will come back and make sure our voices will be heard.’” Others fear street violence will escalate when Ahmadinejad’s supporters begin celebrating. “We’re all worried about that,” said one man.

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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, gestures, during a news conference, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

A bus is set on fire by protesters after Iranian presidential election results were declared in Tehran, Saturday, June 13, 2009. (AP Photo)

Supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi gather on the streets protesting the results of the Iranian presidential election. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi engage in running battles using stones and petrol bombs against police. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

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NBC's Richard Engel reports on the post-election violence in Iran. (msnbc)

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I don't think we'll have any serious challenges. Sentiments are high and sometimes they do some stuff on the streets, but in the end we had 40 million people participating.
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

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Ahmadinejad: Protests Like a 'Soccer Match'