A presenter from Iranian state television has branded members of the women’s national soccer team as “wartime traitors” following their silence during the national anthem before the Asian Cup match against South Korea in Australia. This incident occurred amidst an escalation of military conflict in Iran after recent air strikes conducted by the U.S. and Israel, leading to the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

During the match against South Korea, which ended in a 3-0 loss for Iran, team members stood in silence as the anthem played. In contrast, they sang and acknowledged the anthem before a subsequent 4-0 defeat against the Australian team three days later.

State Media Condemnation

In a widely circulated video, Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, the presenter, criticized the players for lacking patriotism, describing their actions as “the pinnacle of dishonour.” He stated that “traitors during wartime must be dealt with more severely” and emphasized the seriousness of their silence during the national anthem. He asserted that any actions taken against the country amid wartime conditions warrant more severe repercussions.

Efforts to contact the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the Iran Football Federation, and the team participating in the Asian Cup for their input have been initiated.

Players’ Union Raises Concerns for Safety

The players’ union FIFPRO has urged the AFC and FIFA to uphold their human rights responsibilities, calling for measures to ensure the safety of Iran’s players following the critical remarks made by Shahbazi. FIFPRO AsiaOceania expressed that these statements amplify fears regarding the players’ safety upon their return to Iran after the tournament. The union has called for immediate engagement with the Iranian Football Association, the Australian Government, and other relevant authorities to ensure the protection of the players.

As the team prepared for their match against Australia, player Sara Didar became emotional while discussing the ongoing conflict, while coach Marziyeh Jafari noted that the players were striving to focus on the tournament despite their concerns for family members back home.

Upcoming Matches for the Team

Iran is scheduled to face the Philippines in their final group match on Sunday, which will be pivotal for the team’s prospects in the Asian Cup.

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