Iranian Man Shot Dead After Celebrating World Cup Round of 16 Exit

Cheering with Car Horns, Targeted by Security Forces
Nationwide Cheers in Iran Amid Anti-Government Protests and US Defeat

On the 29th (local time), at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, during the third group stage match of Group B in the 2022 Qatar World Cup between Iran and the United States, some spectators in the stands held up placards with the name "Mahsa Amini," and stadium officials were seen stopping them. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] A man in his 20s from Iran was shot dead by security forces after cheering following Iran's defeat to the United States in the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup group stage on the 30th (local time), the British daily The Guardian reported.

According to the report, Mehran Samak (27) was shot dead while honking his car horn in celebration after the United States defeated his national team in Bandar Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran.

The Oslo-based human rights organization Iran Human Rights stated, "Samak became a direct target of the security forces and was shot in the head after the Iranian national team lost to the United States."

The Iran Human Rights Center (CHRI), headquartered in New York, also reported that Samak was killed by security forces while celebrating Iran's defeat.

In Iran, anti-government protests have been spreading since September when Mahsa Amini (22), a Kurdish woman, was arrested on charges of improperly wearing a hijab and died under suspicious circumstances.

Iranians supporting these protests have refused to cheer for their national team in the World Cup. When the Iranian national team lost to the United States, citizens across Iran erupted in celebratory gunfire and cheers.

The Iranian national team ended their match with a 0-1 loss to the United States in the third group stage match of Group B at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, failing to advance to the round of 16.

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