Iran chose not to sing their country’s anthem before their opening World Cup match against England, in an apparent show of support for protesters back home
Iran's players did not sing their national anthem before their first game of the World Cup against England on Monday, in apparent support for anti-government protesters in their homeland.
In Iran, a human rights protest movement has swept the country and authorities have cracked down on demonstrators. On Monday, the men's national team appeared to show their solidarity.
Team captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh said last week that a decision on whether to sing the anthem 'has to be decided in the team' amid ongoing protests in Iran
Iran's World Cup football team stayed silent as the national anthem was played before their opening World Cup match, declining to sing before the kick-off
An authentic football match appeared after the opening’s cold theatre but its most important moment was Iran’s defiant stand against singing the national anthem
The collective refusal of the Iranian national team to sing the national anthem could help repair the broken relationship between players and fans. Back home, the freedom movement is hoping for more signs of solidarity.
Crowd boos and jeers as players sing, some with their eyes closed; Iranian fans seen crying in stadium; pro-government fans harass anti-government soccer supporters
This time the Iranian players sung their national anthem, ahead of their second group-stage match at this World Cup. They went on to a victory over Wales that kept alive their hopes of reaching the knockout phase.
