In a powerful display of resistance against the Islamic Republic, Iran’s women’s football team declined to sing their national anthem before Monday’s opening match of the Asian Cup in Australia.
Footage from the Gold Coast shows the Iranian players standing tall and silent as the anthem played throughout the stadium, ahead of their match against South Korea.
While they didn’t sing, some of the women held subtle smiles on their faces, including the team’s coach, Marziyeh Jafari.
In previous interviews, it’s been hard for journalists to ascertain the Iranian women’s team’s unfiltered views and perspectives, due to censorship from the state’s oppressive regime.
Over the past weekend, the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was assassinated by a US-Israeli missile strike, triggering an outbreak of regional violence. Khamenei had reigned Supreme Leader since 1989, following the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
At the Asian Cup match on Monday, chants could be heard in the crowd calling for the collapse of Iran’s regime, which is now at war with the US and Israel. There were also chants for the return of Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who wants to change the theocratic system in operation since 1979.
Women Life Freedom
The Iranian female player’s act of resistance has brought focus back to an ongoing fight for freedom, especially for women who face severe restrictions by the country.
In the Islamic Republic of Iran, women face extensive legal and social restrictions from morality police, including over clothing, freedom of movement and employment opportunities. Women are mandated to cover their arms and legs with loose clothing, as well as cover their hair with a headscarf.
In 2022, the widespread Iranian women’s rights movement, “Women, Life, Freedom”, was sparked following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody for not wearing a headscarf properly in Tehran. Family and local media allege Amini had been bashed by police. The protests and movement that followed spread globally.
Resistance through sport
In January, the Iranian women’s football team lost a player due to an unprecedented massacre from the Supreme Leader Khamenei, when he sent officers to attack peaceful protesters. Domestic league player Zahra Azadpour, 27, was killed by gunfire from the Islamic Republic in Karaj.
Amid the tragic loss and severe restrictions to their rights, the 68th-ranked Iranian women’s team qualified for a second Women’s Asian Cup, which doubles as qualifying for the World Cup tournament.
While interviews for the female players are still restricted, especially around answering political questions, the women offered their version of defiance during the national anthem before Iran’s 3-0 loss to South Korea.
The Iranian team is scheduled to play Australia on Thursday, and team coach Jafari told reporters they are looking forward to the match.