Qatar 2022: Iran Players Decline To Sing National Anthem

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Iran declined to sing their national anthem before their World Cup match with England in an apparent expression of support for anti-government protests in their home country.

Some fans shouted and jeered during the anthem and others held up signs saying “Woman, Life, Freedom”.

Iran state TV cut its coverage of the anthem and switched to a previously shown wide shot of the stadium. Mass protests have been met with a fierce crackdown in recent months.

They have been sparked by the death in custody in September of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly breaking the strict rules around head coverings.