• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
'They want to kill them': Iran players refuse to sing national anthem at World Cup in protest

Home> Football

Published 05:08 22 Nov 2022 GMT

'They want to kill them': Iran players refuse to sing national anthem at World Cup in protest

Supporters and players alike made their anti-government protest on football’s biggest stage.

Jayden Collins

Jayden Collins

The Iranian players refused to sing their national anthem ahead of their World Cup opener against England.

Supporters and players alike made their anti-government protest on football’s biggest stage.

The Iranian players stood blank-faced as their anthem played out at Khalifa International stadium whilst supporters from the nation erupted with jeers leaving some fans in tears.

Chants of ‘Say her name, Mahsa Amini’ rung out throughout the stadium, whilst shirts and banners read ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’.

The middle eastern country has been shaken by months of nationwide protests following the death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini while tin morality police custody.

Advert

Amini dies three days after being allegedly arrested for breaching the Islamic republic’s dress code for women, which includes wearing a mandatory headscarf.

The player’s were ultimately praised online for their bravery in taking a stance and standing with the demonstrators against the Iranian regime.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz asked fans to back off the team, insisting that no matter what the players did they would be crucified.

Advert

He told reporters: “Whatever they do, whatever they say, they want to ‘kill’ them.

“Can you imagine whatever you say or do, you’re killed. Let them play the game!”

The Portuguese manager admitted that the political unrest had taken a serious toll on the squad.

He said: “It is not right to come to this World Cup and ask them to do things that are not their responsibility. They want to bring pride and joy for the people.

Advert

“You don’t even imagine behind the scenes what these kids have been living in the last few days, just because they want to express themselves as footballers.”

Adding: “Of course, we have feelings and beliefs and in due time, at the right moment, we will express them.”

Ehsan Hajsafi.
Aflo Co. Ltd. / Alamy.

Iran captain Ehsan Hajsafi earlier became the first player from the national team to speak out against the horrific scenes and stood in solidarity with the protestors.

Advert

He said: “They should know that we are with them. And we support them. And we sympathise with them regarding the conditions.

“We have to accept the conditions in our country are not right and our people are not happy.

“We are here but it does not mean we should not be their voice or we should not respect them.”

Featured Image Credit: @StefSimanowitz/Twitter. Alamy.

Topics: Football, Qatar, Football World Cup

Jayden Collins
Jayden Collins

Jayden Collins is a Journalist at SPORTbible. He has worked across multiple media platforms in areas such as sport, music, pop culture, entertainment and politics. He is part of the editorial team for LADbible Australia.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

10 hours ago
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 10 hours ago

    Man Utd 'decide' new striker target after accepting defeat in Viktor Gyokeres transfer saga

    Manchester United have another striker on their radar after losing out on Viktor Gyokeres.

    Football
  • 11 hours ago

    Marcus Rashford has made his feelings clear on Harry Kane amid Bayern Munich links to Man Utd outcast

    Marcus Rashford would relish the opportunity to play with Harry Kane judging by his comments about the Bayern Munich star.

    Football
  • 12 hours ago

    Scott McTominay's next Napoli team-mate has already walked out on club

    The player claimed that his former manager called him a 'troublemaker'.

    Football
  • 12 hours ago

    Women's Euros star receives ban for first group match after incident that happened 355 days ago

    A player will have to wait for her first appearance at this year's Women's European Championships following a 2024 incident.

    Football
  • Why Spain players don't sing the national anthem before matches
  • UEFA have set precedent for FIFA to follow with Iran at 2026 World Cup amid conflict with hosts USA
  • FIFA has set precedent on Iran being banned from 2026 World Cup amid ongoing conflict with United States
  • Lee Carsley explains why he'll refuse to sing national anthem when England take on Ireland