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Iran’s soccer players did not sing their country’s national anthem before the team’s first match of the 2022 World Cup against England, an apparent nod to the protests that have spread worldwide following the death of Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini.
Ahead of international matches, players for Iran usually sing their national anthem with their right hands on their heart. But during the Monday match, the players were seen in now-viral footage with their arms around each other’s shoulders as they stood silently.
Iran’s state TV cut away from the apparent demonstration, showing a wide shot of the soccer pitch instead of a closer shot of the players, the Associated Press confirmed.
Footage of the moment has been viewed millions of times across social media platforms.
