Members of the Iran national team sang their country's national anthem prior to their World Cup fixture against Wales at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. The squad had previously refused to sing during their opening group match against England. This earlier silence was widely interpreted as a show of support for anti-government protesters in Iran, according to Reuters.
Alireza Mohebbi, a correspondent for Iran International TV, stated there is no doubt the players were under instruction to sing. Security personnel were reported to be monitoring the crowd during the match. Fans inside the stadium were seen crying and booing while the anthem played, per reports from Sky Sports.
Before the tournament, Iranian authorities warned that players could face consequences for acts of political protest. Despite the pressure, some supporters continued to carry flags and signs referencing the domestic unrest. The Iranian Football Federation has not issued a formal statement regarding the change in the players' conduct, according to The Guardian.
