Iranians in tears after footballers 'forced' to sing national anthem due to regime threat

Iranian footballers caved under pressure from Tehran as they sang their national anthem before kick-off against Wales on Friday after refusing to do so in their Champions League opener world against England earlier this week. The country is currently in a state of political turmoil following the death of Mahsa Amini, who was killed in suspicious circumstances after her arrest for violating the Islamic dress code in September.

Amini's death sparked nationwide protests in Iran and their footballers took a stand ahead of their game against England by refusing to sing their anthem, which was heavily booed and whistled by their own fans in the stands. They appeared to back down ahead of their crucial Group B encounter with Wales on Friday, opting to mumble with the words as some Iranian fans wept inside the stadium.

It has been suggested that Iran's decision to avoid a repeat of its silence during the anthem may have been influenced by the threat of punishment by the country's regime upon its eventual return, political dissent being considered a crime that can be encountered. the death penalty. Iranian officials had previously discussed a crackdown on any perceived disrespect to their national anthem ahead of the World Cup, which could have forced their footballers to sing before kick-off against Wales after opting to not to do so until their first defeat against England. /p>

Some Iranian fans in Qatar have already made their feelings clear by showing their support for protesters in their home country, with several flags in the stands bearing the words: "Women, Life, Freedom". A handful of fans were seen crying during the pre-match anthems ahead of Friday's game against Wales, with emotions clearly running high among those present at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium.

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There were also protests in the arena before kick-off, with boos and loud whistles as the Iranian anthem was played, while some fans were ordered to remove the banners by Qatari security officials. The Iranian regime has taken a heavy-handed stance against protesters and dissidents in the country in the months since Amini's death, with over 400 people believed to have been killed in the uprising so far. p>

Several Iranian fans in Qatar have already expressed their belief that the national team should not play while civilians are being killed at home. Elmira, a 24-year-old fan, said: "I have mixed feelings. I love football but with all these children, women and men killed in Iran, I think the national team shouldn't be playing. It's not the Iran team, it's the Islamic Republic team.

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"They could refuse to participate in the World Cup or even refuse to play if they were forced to go, to show that they are part of the nation, to show their solidarity with the mothers in Iran whose the children were killed by the regime."

Meanwhile, Setareh, another Iranian supporter, added: "I know it's their job to play football, but with all these children killed in Iran, they should have stood in solidarity with the people. Especially when the England team will kneel. How can the national team not stand together?"

Back in Iran, some banners of the national team h...