Singing the national anthem can be a joyous thing. It can be a harmonious ocassion that can bring people together. It's because of these that it's hard to imagine someone refusing to do it.
This has seemingly been the case with the Iranian football women's team. They chose not to sing it but ultimately were forced to. This is because of the recent attacks in the country.
The Iran women’s national football team was forced to salute and sing its anthem on Thursday ahead of its Women’s Asian Cup group stage match against hosts, Australia, sources close to the team said. This came just days after the squad refused to do so in its tournament opener.
Ahead of Monday’s 3-0 loss to South Korea, the team and Iran’s head coach, Marziyeh Jafari, refused to comment either on the war that has kicked off in the Middle East or the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,and the Lionesses stood in silence and stared straight ahead as the Iranian anthem played on Monday night before kick-off.
The act was interpreted by many as a defiant gesture against the regime but the team hasn't publicly stated what its aim was with the silence during the anthem.
Iranian fans voiced support for President Donald Trump in the stands amid the ongoing joint military campaign against Iran.
Before the start of the match against Australia, the women’s team notably participated in the performance of the anthem. The women saluted as rain added to the somber moment.
However, the act didn't appear to go down well with the Iranian regime. Footage posted on social media shows state media presenter, Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, intimating the players were "traitors" and saying they, "must be dealt with more severely."
Sources say that the players are under heavy guard and are constantly monitored by Iranian security, including by one man who is believed to be affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The players were pressured and ultimately forced to show support ahead of their 4-0 loss against Australia through threats on their families, the sources say.
Ahead of the Australia match, Iran forward, Sara Didar, was emotional while speaking to the media, choking up with tears while speaking about the squad’s families.
"Obviously, we’re all concerned and we’re sad at what has happened to Iran and our families in Iran," Didar said, according to the Associated Press. "I really hope for our country to have good news ahead. And I hope that my country will be strongly alive."
According to AP, Iran coach, Jafari, added: "Obviously, we have so much concern regarding the health of our families and our loved ones and all other Iranian people inside our country, which we are fully disconnected with (given the blackouts). … But, here, we are coming to play football professionally and we will do our best to concentrate on our football and match ahead."
It is expected that the players will once again have to salute and sing ahead of the team’s final group stage match against the Philippines on Sunday. If the team wins by a large margin, it could theoretically still mean progression to the knockouts as one of the best third-place teams. If the Lionesses are eliminated though, it is expected they will return to Iran on Sunday.
Iran’s team and management, who have voiced fears and concerns for their families back home amid Iran’s ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, wore a stoic look and chose not to sing their national anthem in the game against South Korea last Monday.
However, they sang along to "Mehr-e Khavaran" (Eastern Sun) while rain poured down on them and sections of the crowd booed for the duration of the anthem prior to kickoff at the Robina Stadium.
Several spectators waved the pre-1979 Iranian flag as a protest against the current regime, while others displayed banners in favour of US President, Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, supporters of Iran voiced their support for Trump and a free Iran during Thursday’s match. Pre-Islamic Revolution flags were waving in the crowd; while others held up signs with letters spelling Trump’s name.
In video remarks posted to Truth Social, Trump encouraged the Iranian people to take over their government once the United States and Israel finished "major combat operations" in Iran.
"The hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside," he said, addressing the Iranian people. "This will be, probably, your only chance for generations."
"For many years, you have asked for America's help, but you never got it. No President was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a President who is giving you what you want."
While these groups of expatriate Iranians supported the team’s on-field display, they showed clear displeasure as the anthem was played.
While it is unclear why the team changed their stance between the two games, they have openly spoken about the difficulty of participating in a tournament thousands of miles away from home while their country remains under US and Israeli attack.
An internet blackout has made it near-impossible for players and staff to contact anyone, with coach, Marziyeh Jafari thankful for the support they have received from Iranian Australians.
"We are so happy that Iranian Australians here support us," she told Australian media on Wednesday. "Obviously, we have so much concern for our families and our loved ones and all other people inside our country, which we are fully disconnected from. Here, we are coming to play football professionally, and we will do our best to concentrate on the match ahead."
Clusters of protesters against Iran’s regime gathered outside ahead of the game.
Nasrin Vaziri, an Iranian-Australian and long-time Gold Coast resident, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she was there because she wanted to support the players.
"I think they are brilliant because they haven’t had many chances to play," Vaziri told the ABC. "They are real people, even under pressure. We are proud of them. As a woman, I’m proud of them."
The US and Israel bombardment of Iran continued for a sixth day, with missiles raining down in quick succession during waves of attacks that have taken place at all hours of the day.
Striker, Sara Didar, fought back tears as she spoke about the team’s worries. "Obviously, we’re all concerned, and we’re sad because of what has happened to Iran and our families and our loved ones," the 21-year-old told reporters.
The Australian government has been urged to allow the Iran women’s national team players to remain in Australia after a state-aligned conservative commentator in Iran described them as "wartime traitors" and said they must be "dealt with more severely."
Refugee Council chief executive, Paul Power, said: "Certainly on the evidence that’s available, it would appear that the members of the women’s soccer team are at risk if they’re returned," noting that people in Iran involved in, "quite simple acts of peaceful protests have suffered dire consequences."
Germany-based Iranian journalist, Ali Bornaei, tagged foreign minister, Penny Wong, on X alongside the footage, calling on the Australian government to afford the team protection.
"The lives of the Iranian Women’s National Football Team are in imminent danger. After their peaceful protest in Australia, Iranian state-linked media has officially labeled them 'wartime traitors'," Bornaei posted.
"In Iran, 'treason' is a capital offense punishable by death. These athletes face arbitrary detention and execution if forced to return."
Wong said the Australian government "stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression. They have suffered brutal acts of violence and intimidation, with women in particular being oppressed by the regime," she said.
"We have called on the Iranian regime to protect its own people and allow for the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal."
Wong added: "We hope the Iranian team’s participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will inspire future generations of young Iranians to continue to promote women’s rights and participation in sport."
Power said Australia ratified the refugee convention to address these specific circumstances, but the country is not obliged to act unless a claim is made.
"This whole system is designed to protect people in circumstances like this, but ultimately it’s up to the individuals to decide what is best for them and for the people that they’re connected to."
There are concerns for the safety of Iran's women's football team, which has been condemned on Iranian state TV.
The players didn't sing the national anthem ahead of their match against South Korea on the Gold Coast, in what was seen as a silent protest against the Islamic Republic regime.
Against the Matildas on Thursday night, they saluted and sang loudly, in what were told was a clear directive from the regime.
Now, footage has emerged from the state-controlled Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting showing radical conservative presenter, Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, calling out the players in response to their silence.
"In times of war, traitors must be dealt with more harshly. Anyone who takes even a single step against the country during wartime must face stronger consequences," he said.
"Take this issue of not singing the national anthem in our women’s football team and that photo that was published. This is no longer some symbolic protest or demonstration. In wartime conditions, going there and refusing to sing the national anthem is the height of shamelessness and betrayal."
"Both the people and the authorities should treat them as traitors in a time of war, not as individuals staging some kind of symbolic protest.The disgrace of this shameless betrayal should remain on their shoulders, and they must be properly dealt with so that others take a warning from it."
Under the Islamic Republic's penal code, corruption or treason can lead to lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty.
Tensions appear to be growing inside the team's camp. Staff members connected to the regime are embedded with the team and it is believed the players are not allowed to move freely or use their phones.
According to sources close to the team, trying to seek asylum in Australia is not an option for most, with their families in Iran threatened and facing punishment if they don't return.
An Iranian-Australian source told us they are "experiencing little Islamic Republic of Iran in my neighbourhood", due to the heightened presence of the regime around the team in Australia.
It is uncertain when or how the players will return to Iran, with widespread airspace closures in place over the Middle East since the war erupted over the weekend.
The Iranian women have one game left to play, against the Philippines on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
In a statement provided to the ABC, a spokesperson for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia Local Organising Committee said:
"The safety and wellbeing of all players, officials and fans is the top priority for the tournament. All participating teams are supported by the AFC, the Local Organising Committee and relevant authorities to ensure a safe and secure environment throughout the competition."
A large victory by Iran over the Philippines on the Gold Coast on Sunday could secure the team a place in the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed sides across the Asian Cup’s three pools.
Iran’s second loss in as many games has left them close to elimination, and only a big win over the Philippines (0-2) on Sunday can give them any hope of advancing to the quarterfinals.
Australia and South Korea have already qualified from their group. The top two teams from each of the three groups will play in the last-eight stage, with the two best third-placed teams taking the remaining slots.
The Asian Cup also serves as a qualification stepping stone for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and Jafari’s team will hope they can do enough to book a spot.
This is actually tragic and heartbreaking. I'm appalled that my "home" country of Israel has joined the U.S.A. in these disgusting acts. I would stand with the football team. If people are dissatisfied with a particular situation; they have a right to show it in some manner - provided it's a non-violent act.
Threatning death and your family is a whole new low. Something like this shouldn't stoop to this level. Asylum should definitely be granted to those who want it. Families should get special attention and transport for a complete peace of mind.