Protests Erupt at World Cup as Iranian Team Stands Silent During Anthem, Amidst Domestic Crackdown
DOHA, Qatar – The opening days of the FIFA World Cup have been overshadowed by escalating tensions and protests, most notably during MondayS match between Iran and England. In a powerful display of solidarity with ongoing demonstrations in their homeland, the Iranian national team remained silent during the playing of their national anthem, a move widely interpreted as a protest against the government’s brutal crackdown on dissent.
The protests in Iran were ignited last month by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in the custody of the morality police after being arrested for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code. The ensuing unrest has seen widespread calls for an end to the Islamic Republic, and a violent response from authorities, resulting in hundreds of reported deaths and thousands of arrests.
While the Iranian team’s silent protest was a focal point, visible support for the movement was also on display in the stands at Khalifa International Stadium. Fans held up banners reading “Woman. Life. Freedom,” a slogan that has become central to the protests in Iran, though some were reportedly confiscated by security.
The gesture by the Iranian team comes as FIFA faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of human rights concerns surrounding the tournament, hosted in Qatar.Earlier Monday, seven European nations – England, Wales, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland – abandoned plans to wear “onelove” armbands during matches after FIFA threatened sporting sanctions, including automatic yellow cards.
The associations released a joint statement explaining their decision, stating they were “prepared to pay fines” but “cannot put our players in the situation where they might be booked or even forced to leave the field of play.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the criticism on the eve of the tournament,delivering a speech that drew widespread condemnation. In it, he stated, “Today, I feel Qatari. Today, I feel Arab. Today, I feel African. Today, I feel gay. Today, I feel disabled. Today, I feel a migrant worker… But I feel like it, as I know what it means to be discriminated, to be bullied.”
The Iranian team’s silent protest and the displays of support from fans represent a significant moment at the World Cup, highlighting the intersection of sports and political activism, and bringing renewed international attention to the ongoing crisis in Iran. The England team responded to Iran’s protest by taking a knee before kickoff.
