Why Iran Players Refused To Sing Their National Anthem
What’s Happening in Iran?
On September 16, 2022, Mahsa Amini, 22, was killed in Tehran after being arrested by the Guidance Patrol for wearing a hijab inappropriately. Amini was traveling to Tehran from Saqqez before she was arrested. It is reported that this violated Iran’s mandatory hijab law.
This incident sparked a long-running series of protests and civil unrest against the Iranian government. Eyewitnesses said that Amini had been badly beaten by Guidance Patrol officers, but this claim was refuted by Iranian officials. Protests erupted immediately from Saqqez the city where Amini was born, to other cities in the Kurdistan province as well as other provinces within Iran.
The demonstrations were primarily led by women, particularly schoolgirls. Previous wide spread demonstrations, which the Iranian government forcefully put an end to, had a single demand, “The overthrow of the Islamic Republic instead of focusing on election outcomes or economic hardships.
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Why Iran Players Refused To Sing Their National Anthem in Their Match Against England
PROTECT PLAYERS calls for a UK asylum scheme for Iranian players who might face jail time or even death because they refused to sing the national anthem during the World Cup. SENIOR Conservative lawmakers have urged Britain to welcome courageous Iranian soccer players who risk punishment if they return home after the World Cup.
As the national anthem began to play on November 22, 2022, before the match against England at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, the Iranian team stood tall but silent.
On the other hand, Iran supporters carried protest banners with the words “Woman, Life, Freedom” and “Freedom for Iran.” at the Khalifa International Stadium. The stunning act brought the supporters to tears as widespread protests continue to wrap the Islamic Republic.
The team’s gesture, however, might land them into problems at home if the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei decides to use them as a lesson. Since the beginning of the revolt in September, 21 protestors have already been sentenced to death after bogus trials for political dissent, which is one of the crimes punishable by the death penalty in Iran.
This week, Tory MPs led an effort for the players to be given refuge in the UK if they so request. According to Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of the Conservative Party, the Iranian team may decide not to return to Iran given current events. If that’s the case, the UK government might give those people a quick immigration process.
Few days before the world cup begun, Iranian officials had discussed taking actions on anyone who was seen disrespecting their flag and national song. Furthermore, the government will be outraged by the national team’s defiance on such a global scale, which could lead to retribution.
Just a few days ago, Massoud Setayeshi, spokesman for Iran’s judiciary, warned that people who refuse to sing the national anthem may face penalties. More than 15,000 individuals have been detained by Iranian authorities, and security forces have killed hundreds of people in connection with the protests.