Iran’s women’s national football team have reportedly been coerced into singing the national anthem at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after a state television presenter branded them “wartime traitors” for their earlier silent protest.
The squad, who had stood in silence as “Mehr-e Khavaran” played before their opening match against South Korea on Monday, were seen singing and giving a military-style salute ahead of Thursday’s group game against hosts Australia on the Gold Coast. Their initial silence was widely interpreted as a protest against the Islamic Republic amid U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials over the weekend.
Alireza Mohebbi, a correspondent for Iran International TV in Australia, said it was “quite clear” that regime officials and accompanying security personnel had compelled the players to sing and perform the salute before facing the Matildas, who went on to win 4–0. His comments came after hardline state TV presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi condemned the players’ earlier silence as the “pinnacle of dishonor” and declared that “traitors during wartime must be dealt with more severely,” language that has fuelled fears for the team’s safety.
Iranian journalist Raha Pourbakhsh told CNN that authorities had been monitoring the players’ phones and communications throughout the tournament, deepening concerns that the squad could face reprisals on their return. Global players’ union FIFPRO has urged FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to uphold their human rights responsibilities and “take all necessary steps” to protect the team, warning that Shahbazi’s remarks “significantly heighten concerns” for the players once they leave Australia.
Exiled Iranian journalists and activists have appealed publicly to the Australian government to offer asylum to the squad, arguing that the women risk arbitrary detention or even execution if they are forced back to Iran after their final group match against the Philippines on Sunday. Speaking through tears at a pre‑match press conference, forward Sara Didar said the team were trying to focus on football despite anxiety over the war and their families at home, while head coach Marziyeh Jafari insisted her players were doing their best “under so much pressure.”
