"Let me just say one thing: traitors during wartime must be dealt with more severely. Anyone who takes a step against the country under war conditions must be dealt with more severely. Like this matter of our women's football team not singing the national anthem these people must be dealt with more severely."
"FIFPRO Asia/Oceania is deeply concerned by reports that Iranian state television has publicly attacked the members of the team for remaining silent during the national anthem before their opening match. Footage circulating online shows Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, a state TV presenter, calling for them to face the stigma of dishonour and betrayal'. These statements significantly heighten concerns for the players' safety."
Iran's women's national football team did not sing their national anthem before their Asian Cup opener against South Korea. Iranian state television presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi publicly attacked the players, calling them traitors and suggesting they should face severe consequences for their actions during wartime. FIFPRO, the global representative organization for professional footballers, has expressed serious concerns about the players' safety both during the tournament and upon their return to Iran. The organization has called on FIFA and the AFC to take necessary protective measures. The incident has generated significant attention on social media, with widespread circulation of Shahbazi's inflammatory statements labeling the players as disloyal and dishonored.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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