In contrast to the opening match against England, this time the players chose to sing along to the national anthem when it was played. – This is very, very special, the pictures we saw now. It will certainly be commented on in the future, says news’s commentator Nils Johan Semb. The TV footage showed supporters crying as the national anthem was played. – There was a very mixed reaction, says news’s commentator Christian Nilssen. Before the start of the match, many were excited about what mark Iran would take, after soccer player Voria Ghafouri was arrested on Thursday. Some thought that the players should boycott the match against Wales, and regardless of what the players do in the future, Middle East correspondent Sidsel Wold believes that there will be reactions for the players who return to their homeland after the championship. GRET: A stranger with a suit that says Mahsa Amini, the Iranian who died in police custody. Photo: Alessandra Tarantino / AP Enormous pressure Iran chose to play the match against Wales. – Poor Iranian national team. If they had not gone out, they would probably have been called home and probably arrested. Harsh reactions are expected when those who live in Iran return home. They are really between a rock and a hard place in this WC, between the people and the regime, says Wold to news. When Iran played the opening match against England, the players marked against the regime by not singing the national anthem. It provoked strong reactions. – It was a strong protest, and something that was really noticed at home in Tehran. It is a betrayal on the part of Iran and in front of a billion live TV viewers. It is a great insult to the regime, says Wold. None of the Iranian players faced the pressure after losing 2-6 against England. The Iranian journalist Milad Javanmardy from BeIn sports believes that the situation in his home country may have been the reason for that. – Many people have different thoughts in Iran. Each player can have his ideologue and belief, but now the situation is intense. I think the coach asked them not to talk, he says. Iranian soccer player arrested The day before the match against Wales, soccer player Voria Ghafouri was arrested as a result of tweeting a picture of himself in Kurdish national costume. Expert Kristoffer Løkberg cannot understand what pressure Iran is facing. – It is a historical picture. It was a powerful demonstration and a clear signal. I have experienced being in clubs with chaotic conditions, with friction. But having a regime against you, it is not comparable at all, he says.
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Iran sang the national anthem before the match – the audience was upset – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
