Before game against Wales
After silence at the start of the World Cup: This time the Iranians sing their anthem
All eleven actors moved their lips relatively motionless and without much passion on Friday in Al-Rajjan
© Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
Protest against the regime: The fact that the Iranian national team was silent during their anthem before the kick-off of their first World Cup game in Qatar caused a stir. Before the game against Wales, however, the players sang along – albeit obviously with little enthusiasm.
The players of the Iran national soccer team sang along during the second World Cup match against Wales during the anthem. All eleven actors moved their lips relatively motionless and without much passion on Friday in Al-Rajjan. A fan with an Iran flag could be seen in the audience, who was crying bitterly. In the first World Cup game against England on Monday, the professionals had not yet sung the anthem. There was a lot of noise from the stands before both games. In the past few days, there have been reports of the threat of drastic sanctions and increased pressure on professionals from the government.
Protests at World Cup game
Iran’s goose bumps moment: fans demonstrate in the stands – players are silent at the anthem
Players are aware of possible consequences
For weeks, Iran has been rocked by the worst protests in decades. The death of a young woman in police custody had triggered this, and the security apparatus reacted with extreme severity. The horror at the many killed demonstrators was great. “I’m ashamed (as an Iranian) when I see the pictures of the last few days,” striker Mehdi Taremi wrote on Instagram. Violence is unacceptable and will definitely not solve the country’s problems.
The players are aware of possible consequences in their home country. At the same time, many supporters of the protest movement had sharply criticized Iran’s Team Melli in recent weeks. In particular, a photo with President Ebrahim Raisi in a relaxed mood caused outrage shortly before departure. The critics complained that the action on the field was too late and too small.
Human rights activists: At least 445 protesters killed in Iran
According to estimates by human rights activists, at least 445 demonstrators have been killed in the mass protests in Iran so far. The US-based organization Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on Friday that 63 children were among the dead. More than 18,000 people were also arrested. The protests have covered more than 150 cities in the country since they began in mid-September. The organization also recorded the deaths of 57 security guards.