FIFA World Cup: Iran Team Refuses To Sing National Anthem Over Nationwide Protests

The Iranian football team players on Monday refused to sing their national anthem before their opening match against England at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, in apparent solidarity with protesters back home

The national team shows support for the anti-government protests taking place after Mahsa Amini's death, reported Al Jazeera.

FIFA World Cup 2022: Iran lost the match to England by 6-2 in its opening match on Monday.

As Iran's national anthem played at Khalifa International Stadium, television cameras showed the starting players standing stoically, but not singing. Iran lost the match to England, 6-2.

Iran has headed into the tournament amid a backdrop of mass protests against the regime, following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September.

The unrest in Iran began in September when a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, died while in the custody of the morality police. Protests have since spread across the nation, challenging the authority of the government even as security forces have cracked down. Hundreds of people have died in the violence, reported Al Jazeera.Read more on..