Iranian football players have received threats from within Iran. If they don’t “behave” during their game against the United States Men’s National Team on Tuesday, they would “take the route of violence and torture” to the families of the players, according to CNN.
According to reports cited by CNN, Iran has a “substantial number” of security personnel keeping an eye on the players while they are in Qatar.
In spite of the threats, Iran coach Carlos Queiroz reportedly met with members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. What was discussed at the meeting wasn’t apparent, though.
Iran’s athletes declined to participate in the singing of the national anthems prior to their opening World Cup match against England.
Before the England game, the players reportedly received “presents and cars,” but they refused out of fear, according to a CNN story. The national anthem from Wales’ match was sung by the players.
“A false sense of support and favor among fans,” CNN’s source said and he further added that there would be more actors for their upcoming clash against the USA.
The Iranian national team is demonstrating alongside Iranians who were protesting the murder of Mahsa Amini, 22, who passed away from injuries she got while in police custody for wearing her headscarf incorrectly. Mahsa Amini was 22 years old. Human rights activists in Iran estimate that since September, 450 people have died and more than 1,800 have been arrested for protesting.
The US wants to change the flag for 24 hours to support Iranian women
United States Men’s national team told CNN on Sunday that it intended to change the official flag for 24 hours to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.”
United States Men’s national team said that the modification “was a one-time graphic.” “Our website and other sites have the main flag.” On US Soccer’s social media outlets, the logo is at the moment repositioned on the flag.
United States Men’s national team’s decision to change the flag of Iran on its social media accounts in support of Iranian demonstrators was not made in consultation with the State Department, a representative for the sporting organization.
