HEAVY CLASHES REPORTED FOLLOWING IRAN DEFEAT BY BAHRAIN

TEHRAN 21 Oct. (IPS) Widespread demonstrations against the Iranian ruling regime erupted instantaneously in Tehran and most major Iranian cities following the defeat of the Iranian nation soccer team to the Persian Gulf Island of Bahrain, according to reports from Tehran.

Iran, expected to go to the 2002 World Cup and considered as one of the best teams in its category, lost to the tiny Bahrain 3 to 1, unleashing a wave of angry demonstrations throughout the nations.

Ali Da’i scored Iran’s only goal at the 80th minute.

The game degenerated into a bad-tempered affair and as Iran lost their cool as a result of Bahrain's play-acting tactics, they finished the game with only nine men on the field and with Sirous Din-Mohamadi and Ali Reza Nikhbakt sent off, it proved to be a futile task.

As the authorities, apprehensive of mass celebrations that could turn into anti-regime demonstrations, had warned soccer fans against any violence, some experts speculated that conservatives had "ordered" the Iranian players "not to win".

One sports commentator who watched the match talking by phone to Iran Press Service expressed "astonishment" at the Iranian players "passivity".

Reports from Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz, Esfahan and Mash-had, to cite a few, suggests that thousands of people, mostly young ones, are clashing with Law Enforcement Forces backed by Revolutionary Guards special anti-Riot units, Basij volunteers and Interior Ministry’s plainclothes.

One caller who refused to identify herself said Arab-speaking plainclothes and the police are using tear gas and shoot at the people.

Some journalists contacted by IPS confirmed the clashes.

"Tehran is almost placed under curfew", one journalist said, asking for anonymity.

Leading the group with one point ahead of Saudi Arabia, Iran only needed a win to reach the World Cup finals.

But even a draw would mean that Iran would have to face the runners-up of Group B, United Arab Emirate, to compete for the right to play the Republic of Ireland on the ticket to Korea/Japan 2002 finals.

With 4 goals to 1, Saudi Arabia that was playing against Thailand qualified for their third successive World Cup finals.

The results mean the Saudis finish at the top of the Group A, two points ahead of Iran.

Iran's victories over rivals had been occasions for both noisy public celebrations but as well violent clashes with the police in Tehran and other major cities.

Eyewitnesses said following Iran’s victory over neighbouring Iraq, widespread demonstrations were held across the country, including harsh slogans and posters against the Islamic Republic and the regime’s fundamentalist leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameneh’i.

Thousands of soccer funs, but also professional trouble-makers, clashed with the police and anti-riot forces, damaged public properties, set fire to buses and police cars and looted shops, smashed windows of cars and buildings.

Official admitted latter the arrest of some 400 people, accused of disturbing public order after the October 12 Iran-Iraq match which ended in Iran's 2-1 win over Iraq, played in Baghdad.

Confirming the arrests, Information Minster Hojjatoleslam Ali Younesi had put at 100 the number of those who he had described as having "misused the situation".

"A few people who were chanting slogans against Islam were arrested and measures have been taken to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents", the official news agency IRNA had quoted the Minister as having stated.

President Mohammad Khatami also had denounced the "wild celebrations" that took the official by surprise.

"The expression of public sentiments should be consistent with the dignity and culture of the Iranian youth and should not cause problems and indignation among other citizens", he said at a cabinet session, in which Interior Minister Hojjatoleslam Abdolvahed Mousavi-Lari presented a report on the youthful spree in Tehran last Friday night in celebration of Iran's victory over Iraq that led to chaotic behaviour.

Khatami appealed to the country's youth to not allow "ill-wishers and evil-doers to exploit such conditions".

"The cultured youth should shun such individuals who are few", Mr. Khatami said, advising at the same time the LEF to "separate" those who cause riots and disorder from the lively and high-spirited youth of the country. ENDS FOOTBALL RIOTS 211001