The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has allegedly brought Iran’s World Cup squad to a meeting after refusing to sing their national anthem vs England.
As a result, Iran’s World Cup footballers have allegedly been threatened that their families may be imprisoned or tortured if they fail to “behave” during their match against USA.
A detailed report from CNN alleges that Iran’s footballers were informed their families would face “violence and and torture” if they did not sing the national anthem or if they joined any political protest against the Tehran regime.
They claim that “a large number of Iranian security officers” have been brought to Qatar to monitor player’s behaviour. They are not allowed to speak to foreigners or spend company in the time of fans outside of their environment.
Iran’s World Cup campaign has been played to the backdrop of severe unrest and tensions in their home nation.
Upon the Islamic Republic’s request, Qatari authorities have been preventing Iranian fans from carrying “Lion and Sun” flag – which used to be Iran’s national flag before 1979 Islamic Revolution – or the three-coloured flag with “Woman, Life, Freedom” slogan.
Iran fans at their opening two World Cup matches could be heard jeering to drown out the sound of their national anthem, which expresses its desire for the Islamic Republic to live forever.
One group of Iran fans have also produced a flag in the stands which read: “Woman, Life, Freedom.”
Meanwhile, prior to this threat and outburst, hundreds of protestors have died in Tehran and other cities following the death in morality police custody of Mahsa Amini two months ago.
The 22-year-old woman died in police custody having been arrested for not wearing her hijab correctly.
