• FIFA World Cup: Iran team refuses to sing national anthem ahead of match against England

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    FIFA World Cup: Iran team refuses to sing national anthem ahead of match against England

    Iran's players have previously shown their support for the protests by covering the country's symbols with...


    Digital Desk: The Iranian football team refused to sing the national anthem against England in their World Cup group stage match on Monday.


    Asia's top-ranked team enters the tournament against the backdrop of domestic anti-regime protests, following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September, after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf inappropriately.


    Earlier, Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh refused to confirm whether his team will perform the national anthem before their match against England on Monday.


    Iran's players have previously shown their support for the protests by covering the country's symbols with black jackets during a match this year, and some have decided not to celebrate goals.


    Other Iranian national teams have refused to perform the national anthem at recent events, while Jahanbakhsh stated that the team has discussed the matter and that he did not want to specify what, if any, protest they intend to stage.