With their country torn apart by unrest, Iran’s soccer team is stuck in an impossible position at the World Cup as they face off in a decisive showdown with the United States. They are criticized at home, where the security forces fight demonstrators, whether they show support for demonstrators or remain silent. The Iranians have insisted from the start of the match that they are in Qatar to “fight for the people and bring them joy”. But Carlos Queiroz’s team is torn between conflicting interests as the government of the Islamic Republic faces widespread demonstrations sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini after she was arrested for allegedly violating strict dress codes for women.
The Norway-based Iranian human rights organization says more than 410 people have been killed in government crackdowns. The unrest at home has put the Iranian players under great pressure.
“Behind the scenes, you can’t even imagine what these kids have been through in recent days, just because they want to express themselves as footballers,” Portugal coach Queiroz said after Iran lost their first game against England 6-2.
But after beating Wales 2-0 in the second leg, the team is back in contention for a place in the last 16. The showdown with Iran’s political nemesis, the United States, has only intensified the spotlight going into Tuesday’s game.
‘Real risk’
Before the World Cup kicked off, Iranian players earned praise on social media for refusing to sing the national anthem or celebrate goals after Amini’s death on September 16.
But the tone changed after Queiroz and his players met President Ebrahim Raisi before flying to Qatar. “Team Melli”, as the national team is called, has traditionally been a unifying force in the football-mad country. Now it is a symbol of the divisions.
Iranian cries of “freedom” rang out in the stadium as Iran took on England. They also called out the name of Ali Karimi, the Bayern Munich player turned government critic. But players like Mehdi Torabi and Vahid Amiri are regarded as supporters of the government and insults have also been hurled from the stands.
Before England’s game, the players remained silent during the national anthem. Against Wales they sang halfheartedly.
The government seized the victory achieved with goals in stoppage time. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the players “made the Iranian nation happy”.
Jean-Baptiste Guegan, a French specialist on sports politics, said the players are treading a thin line as they risk sanctions on their return from the World Cup. “If the players express their support for the uprising, even silently, they risk being reprimanded,” he said.
“On the other hand, there are activists and people involved in the struggle, who risk their lives in Iran and want to see them (the team) as a symbol.”
The team can also be suspended by FIFA for making political gestures. “It’s the players’ dilemma,” said Guegan.
“Whatever they do, they will suffer the consequences. There is a real risk for them if the situation in Iran worsens.”
Last week, former Iranian-Kurdish international Voria Ghafouri was arrested for spreading “propaganda” against the state. He was eventually released on bail on Monday. Iranian football legend Ali Daei, who also played for Bayern Munich, said he was “threatened” after expressing his support for protesters.
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