If you read this space, you know every now and then I’ll get political for a hot minute. And no matter what your particular bent is _ bleeding-heart, tree-hugger, or so right-wing you make Sarah Palin look like a liberal _ you’ve got to respect what six members of the Iranian soccer team did in their World Cup qualifier at South Korea, donning green armbands to back the fight against dictator Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

And while the fashion statement might remind some of John Carlos and the 1968 Olympics, it’s nothing alike. Those cats _ and I’ve met most and admire all _ risked being blackballed. Watch the news, and you know these guys risked far more, considering the government warned protestors would be killed, and many were. Takes brass balls.

Turns out they’ve gotten off easy. They’ve only been thrown off the National Team and ordered to retire. Guess that beats the alternative, after seeing the violence that broke out after Ahmadinejad was accused of rigging the election, the force his troops hit back with. Here are some pictures, but I warn you…they’re raw. If you have a weak stomach, just take my word for it _ those players risked a lot getting on Ahmadinejad’s bad side.

Among the players were team captain Mehdi Mahdavikia and standout attacker Ali Karimi. The latter is a legit star who played for Bayern Munich, and the former should be familiar. He became a national hero when he scored a goal to eliminate the U.S. from the World Cup.

Wonder if their passports have been snatched away, too? I’d love to see Karimi in MLS. Think he’d enjoy the freedoms of America, or considering what he’s put on the line for trying to build a new Iran, figure he’d want to stay around and fight the good fight?