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World Cup 2022: Iran players sing national anthem before Wales game

World Cup 2022: Iran players sing national anthem before Wales game after

Fifa World Cup

Host nation: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Day-by-day TV listings - Full coverage details

Iran's players sang their national anthem before Friday's World Cup game against Wales after not doing so before their opener against England.

They had stayed silent at Khalifa International Stadium on Monday in an apparent expression of for anti-government protests in Iran.

As the players ed in with the anthem on Friday, loud jeers could be heard from Iran fans in the stadium.

Mass protests in Iran in recent months have been met with a fierce crackdown.

They have been sparked by the death in custody in September of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly breaking the strict rules around head coverings.

A woman in the crowd against Wales had dark red tears painted under her eyes and held a football jersey with "Mahsa Amini - 22" printed on it, while a man standing next to her has the slogan 'women, life, freedom' on his top.

A female fan in the crowd for Wales v Iran holds up a football shirt with "Mahsa Amini - 22" printed on it and a male fan with the slogan 'women, life, freedom' on his topReuters

Iran fans showing solidarity with protesters in their home country

Some ers of Iran react to their national anthem during the game against WalesGetty Images

Some ers of Iran react to their national anthem during the game against Wales

Iran beat Wales 2-0Getty Images

Iran beat Wales 2-0 as they maintained their hopes of reaching the knockout stages

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Analysis

Shaimaa Khalil, BBC News in Doha, Qatar

Outside the stadium, Ali - who didn't want to use his real name - spoke to me wearing a T-shirt with the protest slogan "women, life, freedom" written on it in Persian. He had travelled from Tehran to Doha to watch his national team.

"Every day we go to protest, but the regime is bigger and they have more power, they have guns. We are with bare hands," he said.

Ali told me the protesters have hope but are "frightened" and feeling "alone", and added that they needed from the rest of the world.

The national team has come under a great deal of pressure and been criticised for not doing enough to the protesters. Ali said that, while he wants them to do well, he finds it "very difficult" to the team or focus on the football. He said: "When [I] see my brothers and sisters on the streets in blood, how can I focus? How can I be happy">