WATCH: Iran players refuse to sing national anthem ahead of England clash in FIFA World Cup 2022
Iran payers refused to sing their national anthem ahead of England clash.
The players of the Iran national football team refused to sing their own national anthem ahead of their opening game against England in the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Monday (November 21). The players' gesture was believed to be in solidarity with the protestors back home.
Protests have been ongoing in Iran over the last two months after the death of a young woman in the custody of the country's morality police. 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was arrested by the police over an alleged breach of the Islamic republic's dress code for women. The young girl died three days after her arrest, sparking huge protests across the nation.
People came out on street protesting against Iran's clerical leaders while demanding a change in the country. Iran's national football team had also extended their support to the protests earlier this year when the players came out wearing black jackets to hide their national team's logos during a game against Senegal in September.
On Monday, Iran players remained silent as the national anthem was played ahead of their kick-off against England at the Khalifa International Stadium in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022. While there has been no official word from any of the players or the team, the gesture is being seen as a show of support for the protestors back home.
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Iran defender Ehsan Hajsafi had earlier said the players stand in solidarity with the protestsors in the country and that the team can be a voice for them in Qatar.
"They should know that we are with them. And we support them. And we sympathise with them regarding the conditions,"Hajsafi said in a press conference ahead of the England game.
"We have to accept the conditions in our country are not right and our people are not happy. We are here but it does not mean we should not be their voice or we should not respect them," he added.