Iran national football Team Refuses To Sing Country’s national Anthem Ahead Of England Match in world cup 2022 As Mark Of Protest.

FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar: All of the starting 11 players were silent as the anthem was played at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Before their opening World Cup match against England on Monday, Iran’s national football team did not sing country’s anthem in support of anti-government protesters, back home in Iran, Iran fans also booed the national anthem, with some seen making thumbs down gestures.

“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. I hope conditions change as to the expectations of the people,” Ehsan Hajsaf said, without directly mentioning the unrest.

Iran is facing nationwide protests after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody in Tehran. Amini was arrested after allegedly violating Islamic dress codes. She tragically passed away three days after her arrest in Tehran. According to news agency AFP, some Iranian athletes have decided not to sing the national anthem or celebrate the victories of the national team in support of the protesters.