Judge upholds FIFA's ban on Iran's old flag at World Cup games after emergency hearing in Los Angeles

An emergency hearing took place regarding Iran's old flag being present at World Cup games ahead of its tournament opener on Monday in Los Angeles.

A lawsuit was filed on Thursday by the Institute for Voice of Liberty and an Iran fan, arguing that hoisting the "lion and sun" flag, which represents the country's previous regime and changed in 1980 following the Islamic Revolution, is a form of freedom of speech.

FIFA banned the flag ahead of the tournament, and Los Angeles Judge Curtis A.