A divisive collision of geopolitics and sports is playing out in a community with emotional ties to two countries at war, setting the stage for drama and protest that will go beyond the pitch.

The U.S.-Israeli war has left fans torn between excitement, anger at Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and concern that Washington’s bombing campaign has gone too far.

Flag bans, travel headaches and a religious regime video among bumps in road, as team prepares to be first to play in country with which it is at war