Iranian fans and players made a statement during their country’s national anthem before a World Cup match Monday.
The fans were audibly booing and whistling at the anthem, whereas the players did not sing the anthem before their first match of this year’s World Cup against England.
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Loud whistling from Iran fans for their own national anthem, many of whom are protesting against their regime pic.twitter.com/nk65KVW00U
— Sean Ingle (@seaningle) November 21, 2022
The protests by players and fans appear to be a stand against the Iranian government, which has been persecuting women for opposing laws mandating they wear hijabs. The protests about the hijab laws began after Mahsa Amini died after being arrested and jailed for not wearing a hijab in public.
#BREAKING: Iran national team players choose not to sing national anthem at World Cup match; some of the Iranian crowed booing their own national anthem pic.twitter.com/6tYqjloYYi
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) November 21, 2022
England would go on to defeat Iran 6-2 in the opening match for group B. The other group B matchup on Monday features the United States against Wales, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST and will be televised on Fox.
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The World Cup host country, Qatar, has faced a bevy of controversy in the run-up to the tournament. Some even called for the tournament to be moved out of the country due to human rights abuses and alleged bribery to secure the hosting duties.
