In an apparent sign of support for anti-government protests in their home country, Iran chose not to sing their national anthem prior to their World Cup match against England.
While the national anthem was playing, some supporters yelled and jeered while others raised signs that said “Woman, Life, Freedom.”
Iran’s state television interrupted the anthem to change to a previously shown wide image of the stadium.
In recent months, a harsh crackdown has been reacted to large-scale protests.
They were brought on by the death in custody in September of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was being held by morality police for allegedly violating the severe regulations about head coverings.
In a crackdown by Iran’s security forces, human rights advocates claim that over 400 demonstrators have been killed and 16,800 others have been detained.
Iran’s captain Ehsan Hajsafi stated before the game that the team “support” those who have passed away.
Carlos Queiroz, the team’s manager, stated that as long as it “conforms with the World Cup regulations and is in the spirit of the game,” his players were “free to protest” on women’s rights in their home nations.