Iran’s footballers have already shown their willingness to take a stand. In their latest show of defiance, all but two of the team refused to sing the national anthem before a friendly with Nicaragua at the Azadi stadium in Tehran last week.
This week, Iran’s manager, Carlos Quieroz, the former Manchester United number two, indicated his players would be free to protest at the World Cup, saying “everybody has the right to express themselves”. Other prominent Iranian athletes who have lent their support to the demonstrators include members of the country’s beach football, waterpolo, basketball, and sitting volleyball teams.UK on a small boat from across the Channel four months ago“We are just hoping that these players would show us a sign that they are not happy with what is happening in Iran,” he said.
“The result of this game will be followed by 90 per cent of people [in Iran], but because of the revolution going on at the moment people are not very happy.
Millions of Iranians will be watching at home on Monday and it won’t be the football they are paying the closest attention to 🟢 They will scrutinising the players and fans for any sign of support for the mass demonstrations in Iran that have followed the death of Mahsa Amini