Man Jose Kayima
Iran national team players refused to sing their national anthem before their World Cup opening game against England on Monday.
Before the game, the skipper said that they would make a collective decision on whether or not to sing the anthem in support of anti-government protesters in their country.
Ahead of kickoff at the Khalifa International Stadium, the players took a decision not to sing the anthem.
For two months now, there have been nationwide protests in Iran since the death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini in morality police custody which occured in September.
Amini died three days after her arrest in Tehran over alleged breach of the Islamic republic’s dress code for women.
Since her death, athletes in the country have chosen not to sing the nation anthem or celebrate their victories in support of the protesters
