Iran ‘to shun goal celebrations’

IRANIAN players may not celebrate any goals they score against England on Monday in an act of political defiance against their own government.

Iranian authorities have violently cracked down on anti-government protests which were sparked after the death of a 22-yearold woman in police custody in September.

Since then footballers have been refusing to salute their own goals in Iranian league matches – instead lowering their hands whenever the ball crosses the line – in a show of solidarity with demonstrators.

Asked if they would behave the same way at the World Cup, Iranian footballer Alireza Jahanbakhsh said: ‘We are out here to play football and that is the main thing everybody is focused on. Celebrations are something very personal. Every single player has different celebrations.’