Solidarity in Iran's Anti-Government Protests Spreading to Sports

Iran National Football Team Remains Silent During National Anthem Before Match Against England
Female Sport Climbing Athlete Competes Without Wearing Hijab

On the 21st (local time), the Iran national team is preparing for the first match of Group B in the World Cup between England and Qatar at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] The anti-government protests spreading in Iran have become a stage attracting the attention of people worldwide. The Iranian national team, participating in the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup, did not sing the national anthem during the match against England, and Iran's state-run TV responded by showing the stadium view instead of the players' faces.

According to AFP, the 11 starting players remained silent and did not sing when Iran's national anthem was played before the match. Even as the anthem played loudly in the stadium, the Iranian players stood solemnly with blank expressions. This is interpreted as the players showing solidarity with the anti-government protests that have continued for over two months in Iran. The protests erupted and spread nationwide after the suspicious death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for not properly wearing a hijab in September.

The Iranian authorities have consistently responded to the protests with harsh crackdowns. They arrest those voicing solidarity and indiscriminately shoot at protesters. According to Iran Human Rights (IHR), a human rights organization based in Norway, at least 326 protesters have died due to violent suppression by Iranian military and police forces as of the 12th of this month. The New York Times (NYT) reported that hundreds of Iranian citizens lost their eyesight during the crackdown over the past two months. Ophthalmologists at three major hospitals in Tehran have recorded at least 500 patients with severe eye injuries.

This has instead triggered more open and bold solidarity movements. Iranian university students have started boycotting classes, and workers in various industries such as oil and natural gas have gone on strike. Merchants in traditional markets in central Tehran have also closed their shops and shouted slogans like "Death to the dictator."

Major figures in the sports world have also expressed support for the anti-government protests. Last month, sport climbing athlete Elnaz Rekabi attracted attention by competing without a hijab at the Asian Championships held in Korea.

Especially football, Iran's most popular sport, has become the strongest means for those supporting the protests to express their will. Ali Karimi, a former Iranian national team player who played for Bayern Munich from 2005 to 2007, is one of the leading figures in the anti-government protests. Ali Daei, known as a legend of Iranian football, has also publicly supported the protests.

At the 'Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup' held in Dubai in early November, Iranian player Saeid Piramoon mimicked cutting his hair after scoring a goal. This symbolically represented some women cutting their hair as an act of resistance against the government.

Ali Daei, Legend of Iranian Football, Also Supports Anti-Government Protests

In the Iranian football league, some players have refused to perform goal celebrations for several months. Instead, when they score, they lower their hands as if to remind the audience of the ongoing situation in their country. During this time, the state-run TV broadcasting the match switches the screen from the scoring team to the conceding team.

Their voices also appeared on the World Cup stage, which draws global attention. Esmaeil Hajisafi, defender and captain of the Iranian national team, said at a press conference on the 20th before the match, "The current situation in Iran is not right," and "We must acknowledge that the Iranian people are not happy." He added, "We are now in Qatar, but that does not mean we do not listen to or respect the voices of our people," expressing solidarity by saying, "All our strength comes from the Iranian people."

On the 21st (local time), at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, where the first match of Group B in the 2022 Qatar World Cup took place, Iranian supporters held a placard with the slogan "Women, Life, Freedom." Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Also, during the match against England, Iranian players did not sing the national anthem, and despite scoring two goals, they omitted celebrations and maintained serious expressions. Carlos Queiroz, head coach of the Iranian national team, defended the players' refusal to sing the anthem, saying, "As long as the World Cup regulations are followed and the spirit of the game is respected, it is possible to freely protest the violation of women's rights in Iran." Gary Lineker, who provides commentary for the BBC in the UK, also expressed support for the Iranian players' actions, calling it "a strong and very important gesture."

Iranian Football Fans Also Express Anti-Government Sentiments

Iranian football fans attending the match also clearly expressed their anti-government sentiments. Some fans booed loudly while Iran's national anthem was played before the match and held signs reading "Women, Life, Freedom," shouting slogans representing freedom.

There were also scenes of fans holding Iranian flags with the emblem in the center cut out. The current emblem on the flag symbolizes the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which overthrew the constitutional monarchy of the Pahlavi dynasty. Cutting out the emblem is interpreted as a strong sign of resistance against the Islamic government.