Iranian Players Support Anti-Government Protests Through Silence... Public Opinion Is Negative

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[Image source=Yonhap News]

Iranian players participating in the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup expressed their support for anti-government protests in their country. During the first Group B match held on the 21st (Korean time) at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, they did not sing along to the national anthem. They stood silently with linked arms and solemn expressions. Captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh explained, "It is to show solidarity with the protesters."

In Iran, anti-government protests have been ongoing since last September following the death of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian female university student who was arrested and detained for not wearing a hijab. The atmosphere is tense as some Iranian national football team players expressed their support, leading to speculation that they might be excluded from the team selection. Troubled players lost 2-6 to England that day.

The grim and somber mood was also felt in the stands. Placards reading "Women Life Freedom" were displayed in various places, and the Persian slogan "Azadi," meaning "freedom," was chanted. At the 22nd minute of the first half, some fans chanted Amini's name in honor of her age, twenty-two, at the time of her death.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Despite the players' willingness to participate, public opinion within Iran is negative. This is because the players have not made their intentions clear enough. In fact, public opinion is divided. Many consider supporting the national team as supporting the Iranian government. They view it as a betrayal of the young people who lost their lives on the streets and hope the team loses all three matches.

Detecting the unusual situation, Iran coach Carlos Queiroz expressed his dissatisfaction directly after the match. He said, "If you are not going to support our team, stay at home," and added, "Why come all the way here to boo us? We do not need such fans."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.