Iranian national football team players covered their country’s crest during the national anthem ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup-setting match against Senegal.
Before kick-off, the entire Iranian team stood on the field wearing regular black jackets over their uniforms. The group stood with their arms around each other and held the extra layer until they took the field to start the game.
The move by Iranian players comes amid widespread demonstrations in the country following the death of Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old woman died in police custody in Iran earlier this month after being accused of inappropriately wearing a headscarf. According to Mark Ogden of ESPN.
Amini’s death sparked protests in Iran where women were seen removing and burning the state-imposed veil, According to the Associated Press,. Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, said the circumstances of Amini’s death would be investigated “strictly” after Iranian police said she had died of a heart attack.
The demonstrations moved into the world of sport as two men were seen holding a sign saying Amini was “killed by the police of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, during an international friendly match that took place last week between Iran and Uruguay. Protesters refused to hand over the banner and police in Austria left the NV Arena as a result.
Iran’s last game before the World Cup finals in November ended in a 1-1 draw with Senegal.
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