The Northern Advocate

Players speak up with their silence

- James Montague of the Telegraph

It took a few moments for the crowd to understand what was going on, but when they did, thousands booed at the bravery of the Iranian national team.

England were due to kick off against Iran at the Khalifa Internatio­nal Stadium in Doha. The national anthems began. First, God Save the King.

And then silence from the Iranian players.

As the camera panned across the faces of Team Melli, not one sang their national anthem. When the Iranian fans realised what was going on, the crowd erupted, first with boos from the progovernm­ent fans who had come in big numbers from Tehran. Then cheers, and then tears, from the Iranians who understood the significan­ce of what they had just seen.

For weeks protests have raged in Iran following the death in custody of a young Iranian woman called Mahsa Amini, who died while in the custody of the hated Gasht-e ersad morality police, allegedly for not covering her hair properly.

As thousands have filled the streets, and hundreds have died, protesters have urged those that have huge social media platforms in Iran — actors, artists and musicians alike — to back the people. And of course, in a country where football is obsessivel­y popular and hugely political, Iranian footballer­s have found themselves in an almost impossible position; on the one hand urged by protesters to use their vast popularity and the platform of Qatar 2022 to support the people, on the other, pressurise­d by the government to represent the Islamic Republic on the internatio­nal stage.

But speaking out against the regime in Iran is a dangerous game that could lead not just to your arrest but also the persecutio­n of your family. So, as the World Cup approached, Iran’s players took a muted stand. One player, striker Sardar Azmoun, did post a supportive message on Instagram, but he was soon forced to apologise and at one point it looked like his stand would cost him a place in the World Cup squad.

Still, the protesters were furious that the players were not doing more. And so all eyes fell on the Khalifa Internatio­nal Stadium. Would Iranian fans protest inside and outside the ground? Would they be arrested by Qatari police? Would they be apprehende­d by Iranian agents mingling in the crowd? And most importantl­y would the players sing the anthem, something that Iran’s national beach football team had refused to do a few weeks before.

But then the anthem began and the players fell silent. The progovernm­ent supporters in the stands vented their fury at the players. Around the world, the players were lauded.

The game didn’t go to plan for Iran, losing 6-2 under incredible political pressure. They still have two more games and two more anthems.

Every Iranian player risked something when they chose not to sing.

For those players, the true consequenc­es are yet to come.

In yesterday’s other matches from Qatar, the Netherland­s beat Senegal 2-0 before Wales captain Gareth Bale’s late penalty secured a 1-1 draw with the US.

The anthem began and the players fell silent. The pro-government supporters in the stands vented their fury at the players. Around the world, the players were lauded.

 ?? Photo / Getty Images ?? Iran’s players stood silently as their national anthem was played before the game against England.
Photo / Getty Images Iran’s players stood silently as their national anthem was played before the game against England.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from New Zealand