The Iran women’s national football team refused to sing the national anthem before their Asian Cup match against South Korea.

Iran’s women’s national football team refused to sing the anthem at the Asian Cup

Before the match against South Korea, the players did not perform the national anthem. The team stood in silence, while head coach Marzieh Jafari was seen smiling during its performance.

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The team are in Australia for the tournament, and stood silently as the speakers played ‘Mehr-e Khavaran’ around the stadium.

Only one day before the game, US-Israeli strikes murdered Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He had ruled the country since 1989.

Iran lost 3-0, which is no surprise, given that the US and Israel are blowing their home country to smithereens.

Iran deserve respect

After the game, journalists questioned the players at the press conference. The team coach, Marziyeh Jafari, said:

We shouldn’t be talking about these issues at all now.

Right now, the team is in a very important competition that holds great rights for women … next question.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is reportedly monitoring the situation and will offer support to the players if needed.

Iran will face Australia on Thursday night, again on the Gold Coast.

Australian player Amy Sayer told journalists that the Iranian squad deserve respect for carrying on and playing, while the bombing of their nation intensifies.

Our heart goes out to them and their families, it’s a difficult situation and it’s really brave of them to be able to be here and to perform.

They played (on Monday), and they put on a really strong performance, even with the political climate that’s going on and the struggles that they might be going through.

I think we’re excited and looking forward to the game on Thursday … the best we can do to contribute is to just give them the best game of football that we’re able and to show them the respect on the field.

The Iranian national team is showing up. And given how brutally the US and Israel are bombing Iran, just that is hugely courageous.

Donald Trump and Netanyahu want the Iranians silent and compliant – yet the team showing up to play and standing together during the national anthem shows that they refuse for everything to be business as usual.

Featured image via Guardian Football/YouTube

By HG

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