Iranian players refuse anthem: state broadcaster interrupts TV broadcast

Created: 11/21/2022, 3:25 p.m

By: Richard Strobl

Iran's internationals remain silent during the national anthem.

© IMAGO/JOEL MARKLUND

At the start of the World Cup in Qatar, the Iranian national team sends a political signal – against their own government.

She then interrupted the TV broadcast.

Doha – Iran's national team made a statement of solidarity with the nationwide protests at their first appearance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The national team players did not sing the national anthem in the World Cup opener against England.

The Iranian government reacted immediately.

World Cup 2022: Iran sets an example in Qatar against its own government - "Clear for the revolution"

Iranian activists saw the players' refusal to sing as a gesture of support for the nationwide protests in the country.

Before the game on Monday (November 21), they had hoped for a declaration of solidarity from the players.

The Iranian journalist and expert Natalie Amiri also classified the action in this way - and shared a video of the scene on Twitter.

She wrote: "And nobody from the Iran national team just sang.

A statement, silent but clear, for the revolution on the streets of Iran".

The Iranian state broadcaster then interrupted the live broadcast of the anthem.

The players could now face consequences.

There had been speculation in Iran that they might be banned if they remained silent at the anthem.

Iran's national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar: will there be more statements?

Iranian captain Ehsan Hajsafi on Sunday expressed his condolences to the grieving families of the victims in Iran.

The team has to accept that the conditions in the country are not good and the people are not happy.

The players are aware of that.

According to estimates by human rights activists, at least 360 people have been killed in the nationwide protests in Iran so far. 

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Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi said before the tournament that the team in Qatar did not want to be influenced by the protests at home.

"We also have other responsibilities towards Iranian society, but here our focus is on football," he said. 

Since the death of the Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini in mid-September, there have been ongoing system-critical protests in the Islamic Republic.

The young woman died in police custody after being arrested for breaking Islamic dress codes.

Thousands took to the streets.

Human rights activists estimate that thousands of Iranians were arrested and hundreds killed during the protests.

(rjs/dpa)