There were powerful scenes at the start of England vs Iran, as Iranian fans protested the ongoing situation in their country by booing the anthem, while the players protested by remaining silent.
Mass demonstrations in Iran have taken place over the past few months, in protest of the regime's strict laws surrounding the treatment of women, and in particular the mandatory wearing of the hijab.
The protests have claimed many lives, including many young women who are at the forefront of the movement.
The decision to protest during the anthems contrasted starkly with England's decision to renege on their decision for Harry Kane to wear the OneLove captain's armband.
England did however take the knee, but many felt that this was an empty gesture, after folding to Fifa's rules.
England vs Iran - Qatar World Cup
Protest by Iranian fans - booing their own national anthem ahead of match against England. #Qatar2022 #iran pic.twitter.com/3YN5V2y7BO
— Jonathan Swain (@SwainITV) November 21, 2022
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Prior to the match, Iran coach Carlos Queiroz spoke about the game, and talked up his Iranian underdogs.
"The most important thing is not to make the other teams bigger than they are and we cannot be smaller than we are.
"I have worked in many countries, worked with many great players - I have never seen in my life players who deliver so much with so little."
"I try to play to my strengths all the time against you and I will try to protect my fragilities all the time against England.
"We don't have any problems to understand that England are the favourites. But that is only theoretical and from the analysts' point of view."
"When people say 'you play very solid, very defensive' - no we need full concentration, full determination and to be organised when we don't have the ball. That's the way we should play the game because we don't have easy guys in front of us."
SEE ALSO: World Cup : Huge Criticism For England After Decision Not To Wear OneLove Armband
