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

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.
(More Iran stories.)

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