Even before the outbreak of war at home, the National football team of the women of the Iran set off for Australia, where they are currently on Asia Cup participates. In their opening game against South Korea (0:3), Iran’s players made headlines because they… Anthem didn’t sing. The gesture was interpreted as a silent protest against the regime.
On Thursday everything was suddenly different. Before the second game against the hosts Australia (0:4), the players not only sang along to the anthem, they saluted also with hers right arm. Only one player, defender Atefeh Ramezanizadehusing her left arm.
Saluting during the anthem? This is not common even in Iran and cannot be seen in pictures from past games of the women’s and men’s national teams. The behavior of the players again gives a lot of scope speculation. Were the players put under pressure and asked to do this? Maybe saluting is even a greeting to them The Revolutionary Guard to interpret? In the run-up to the game, it was reported that the Iranian team’s delegation would also include members of the Revolutionary Guard.
Everyone wore a headscarf
Meanwhile, the team was joined by some Exiled Iranians cheered in Australia. According to their own statements, they also asked the players to do so without headscarf to play. But that didn’t happen. However, on Thursday, all players continued to wear theirs Hijab.
Before the game it was already around the stadium Gold Coast to political Rallies of these Iranian exiles critical of the regime. They waved the old one Nationalflagge from the time before the Iranian Revolution in 1979, and there was even one Israel Flag to see and fans who have the picture of Donald Trump held up with the words: “Thank you!”