Iran’s women’s football team perform silent protest as Asian cup

WorldFootball
3 Mar 2026 • 11:31 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • The Iranian women's football team refused to sing their national anthem before their first match since the conflict in the Middle East began.
  • During the playing of "Mehr-e Khavaran" at the Cbus Super Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia, on Monday, March 2, the players stood in silence.
  • Coach Marziyeh Jafari was observed smiling on the sidelines as her team remained tight-lipped ahead of their Asia Cup game against South Korea.
  • Both Jafari and the players declined to comment on the ongoing conflict or the passing of their long-serving leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
  • They stated that their focus needed to remain on the tournament when questioned by the media prior to the match.

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