The Iranian football team, according to reports has been told that their families will experience “violence and torture” if they do not “behave” themselves for the remainder of the World Cup.
The players were reportedly called to a meeting with representatives from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after they refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match against England on Nov. 21. This is according to a security source involved in the tournament who spoke to CNN.
Their silence has been construed as sympathy for the continuing protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini in the morality police’s care in September.
After that, the team allegedly heard that making any further political statements during the competition would result in their families being tortured. The national anthem was then sung by the players before last Friday’s 2-0 triumph over Wales.
The source was identified as someone who was keeping an eye on Iranian security forces that were present in Qatar during the World Cup.
The source claimed that dozens of IRGC officers were keeping an eye on the team, which was being kept hidden from the public. “There are a large number of Iranian security officers in Qatar collecting information and monitoring the players,” the source claimed.
According to the source, Iran’s national team coach Carlos Queiroz had separate meetings with IRGC personnel. The source was identified as someone who was keeping an eye on Iranian security forces that were present in Qatar during the World Cup.
The Iran team, or Team Melli, has historically served as a unifying force, attracting support from both government supporters and opponents. However, with the tournament taking place amid ten weeks of anti-government protests, the players have been under increasing criticism from both the government and demonstrators.
Iran’s captain, Ehsan Hajsafi, sent his condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones during the crackdown on protestors prior to their first game. Let them know that we sympathize with and are with them, he urged. “We must acknowledge that our nation’s conditions are unsatisfactory and that its citizens are not content.”