For their entry in the running against England (6-2 defeat), the Iranian players decided not to sing the national anthem, in support of the victims of repression in their countries. In the stands then mingled applause and hoots.
by Anthony Hernandez (Special Envoy to Doha)
Never the Iranian selection had started a World Cup with so many looks on it. No one, however, is betting on a victory in Qatar or even a semi-finalist journey of Tim-e Melli, who has never crossed the first round of the tournament in six participations.
This is the political situation in Iran – the demonstrations for women’s rights violently suppressed by the Ayatollah regime for almost two months – and its repercussions in the national team that occupy all minds. On November 12, the NGO Iran Human Rights estimated that at least 344 demonstrators were killed and more than 15,000 arrested since the death, on September 16, of Mahsa Amini, arrested by the moral police in Tehran to not not have respected the strict dress code imposed by the regime.
Monday, November 21, at the International Khalifa stadium, the Iran team faced England for the first match of group B. The Iranian footballers bowed heavily, 6-2, but it is however their attitude before The kick -off that made the minds. At the time of the hymns, the eleven of the holders did not sung Sorude Melliye Jomhuriye Eslâmiye Irân, the national anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
On the eve of the start of the World Cup, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had however launched a clear warning: the team should not “lack respect” in Iran.
Personal and collective choice
During the week, Captain, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, had explained that the players would “collectively” sing or not to sing the national anthem in support of the victims of the demonstrations. And whether to celebrate or not a possible goal during the World Cup would, however, be a “personal” choice. The situation presented itself at the 65 e minute and during stoppages, when Medhi Taremi reduced the scoring twice, to the great joy of the Iranian public. Each time, the scorer was welcomed modestly by his teammates, whose hand he simply caught his hand during his first goal.
Monday, at the time of the anthem, a majority of Iranian fans applauded and sung in the stands. But some also protested and hoots were heard. A man wore a black t-shirt “Rise with Women of Iran”, two others sent a finger of honor towards the field while a large banner with the slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” was brandished in the stands. What displeased the Portuguese coach, Carlos Queiroz: “Fans who do not want to endure the team can stay at home. We don’t need them. They are not welcome.”
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