"The safety of the Iran women's soccer team is in significant jeopardy as they head home after being called traitors by state-run media for refusing to sing their country's national anthem during their opening match of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia."
"The reality at the moment is that we're unable to get in touch with the payers, Beau Busch, president of the Asia and Oceania division of FIFPRO, said. That's incredibly concerning. That's not a new thing. That's really been since the repression really dialled up in February, January."
"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 signing the national anthem, Shahbazi said. These people must be dealt with more severely."
Iran's women's soccer team is in significant danger following their refusal to sing the national anthem during their opening match of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia on March 2. The silent protest occurred days after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. State-run Iranian media condemned the players as traitors, with TV presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi calling for severe punishments. FIFPRO, the global players' union, expressed grave concern about the team's safety, noting inability to contact the players since repression intensified in January and February. The union emphasized its responsibility to ensure player safety amid escalating political tensions.
Read at www.amny.com
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