Protesting Iranian players and fans meet FIFA crackdown, but message is heard around the world
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 22 - Iranian players boycotted their national anthem in a silent protest against their country's regime ahead of the World Cup curtain-raiser against England.
England v Iran was always going to be more than just football with orders from FIFA that wearing the OneLove armband would result in sporting sanctions and Iranian fans protesting the brutal crackdown on nationwide protests that have rocked Iran since the death of 22 year-old Masha Amini's women in the custody of the morality police.
Human rights activists said more than 400 protesters had been killed and another 16,800 arrested.
The refusal to sing the national anthem was a powerful statement as the world watched. Before the match, Iranian captain Ehsan Hajsafi said the players supported those who died.
Iranian fans mocked the anthem and held up 'Woman, Life, Freedom' signs, but ground staff told fans to put away Persian flags, a symbol of freedom from before the Islamic Revolution from 1979, and wearing protest t-shirts – often depicting Amini – inside out. It was yet another sign that this FIFA will not tolerate any form of political messaging, despite its own open political posture.
Fans chanted Ali Karimi's name all day. The former player became a vocal critic of the regime and the Revolutionary Guards called for his arrest before Karimi fled Iran.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz previously said his players were "free to protest", but after the disappointing 6-2 defeat, the Iranian coach complained that the political backdrop was taking its toll on the players.
"You don't know what these kids have been through the past few days just because they want to express themselves as players. Whatever they do or say, they want to kill them. Let them represent the country and playing for the people. Everyone represents the people here," Queiroz said.
Agitated, Queiroz lashed out at the fans: "Iranian fans who are not ready to support the team should stay at home. We don't need that.
"All Iranians are welcome in the stadium. They have the right to criticize the team, but those who come to disturb the team with problems that are not only football-related are not welcome."< /p>
Iranian fans retorted that it was their job to support their country and people, but not the regime. Sometimes life is more important than football, maybe not in Qatar or FIFA?
Iran next face Wales in an all-out Group B game, but politics and protests will never be far away.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1669112867labto1669112867ofdlr1669112867owedi1669112867sni@i1669112867tnuk.1669112867ardni1669112867mas1669112867
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 22 - Iranian players boycotted their national anthem in a silent protest against their country's regime ahead of the World Cup curtain-raiser against England.
England v Iran was always going to be more than just football with orders from FIFA that wearing the OneLove armband would result in sporting sanctions and Iranian fans protesting the brutal crackdown on nationwide protests that have rocked Iran since the death of 22 year-old Masha Amini's women in the custody of the morality police.
Human rights activists said more than 400 protesters had been killed and another 16,800 arrested.
The refusal to sing the national anthem was a powerful statement as the world watched. Before the match, Iranian captain Ehsan Hajsafi said the players supported those who died.
Iranian fans mocked the anthem and held up 'Woman, Life, Freedom' signs, but ground staff told fans to put away Persian flags, a symbol of freedom from before the Islamic Revolution from 1979, and wearing protest t-shirts – often depicting Amini – inside out. It was yet another sign that this FIFA will not tolerate any form of political messaging, despite its own open political posture.
Fans chanted Ali Karimi's name all day. The former player became a vocal critic of the regime and the Revolutionary Guards called for his arrest before Karimi fled Iran.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz previously said his players were "free to protest", but after the disappointing 6-2 defeat, the Iranian coach complained that the political backdrop was taking its toll on the players.
"You don't know what these kids have been through the past few days just because they want to express themselves as players. Whatever they do or say, they want to kill them. Let them represent the country and playing for the people. Everyone represents the people here," Queiroz said.
Agitated, Queiroz lashed out at the fans: "Iranian fans who are not ready to support the team should stay at home. We don't need that.
"All Iranians are welcome in the stadium. They have the right to criticize the team, but those who come to disturb the team with problems that are not only football-related are not welcome."< /p>
Iranian fans retorted that it was their job to support their country and people, but not the regime. Sometimes life is more important than football, maybe not in Qatar or FIFA?
Iran next face Wales in an all-out Group B game, but politics and protests will never be far away.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1669112867labto1669112867ofdlr1669112867owedi1669112867sni@i1669112867tnuk.1669112867ardni1669112867mas1669112867
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