A lawsuit has been formally filed against FIFA over the governing body’s ban on supporters bringing the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag into stadiums at this summer’s World Cup.The Institute for Voices of Liberty, a Californian non-profit which describes itself as “dedicated to advancing freedom of expression” for Iranians, had previously threatened action last month, stating they were “preparing to commence appropriate legal proceedings in case of attempts by FIFA to exclude the Lion and Sun flag.”The group followed through on its warning on Thursday afternoon by submitting a lawsuit to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which claimed that those who wished to fly the flag possess “protected symbolic and political speech” which requires “immediate judicial intervention.”It is calling for a declaration that a ban is unlawful in California, that supporters are allowed to carry the old flag into stadiums, and for FIFA to pay compensatory damages for any individual banned for possession of the flag. FIFA will have the opportunity to respond.The pre-revolutionary Iran flag, similar to the country’s official flag but featuring a lion and sun motif in the standard’s centre, is historically associated with the country’s previous Shah-led regime, which was deposed from power in 1979.