Iran Women's National Team Branded Traitors: Here Are the Reasons
An international federation representing professional football players, FIFPRO, has urged the regulator responsible for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup to protect Iran’s national team after they were labelled ‘traitors of wartime’ by a state television presenter in Iran. Both FIFA and the AFC have been asked to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the Iran women’s national team players.
Before their opening Asia Cup match against South Korea on the Gold Coast earlier this week, Iran’s women’s players did not sing their national anthem.
Iranian state broadcaster Mohammad Reza Shahbazi stated in a video that the players showed a lack of patriotism and that their actions equalled the ‘height of disgrace’ in a clip widely shared on social media.
‘Let me say one thing: traitors during wartime must be dealt with more harshly,’ Shahbazi said. ‘Whoever takes actions against the country in wartime must be dealt with more severely. As for our women’s football team that does not sing the national anthem… these people must be dealt with more harshly.’
In a statement posted on X, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania outlined its concerns:
‘In addition to the dangerous situation facing players if they return to Iran after the tournament, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania is deeply concerned by reports that the Iranian state television openly attacks team members for remaining silent during the national anthem before their opening match.’
Recordings circulating online show Shahbazi, a government TV presenter, calling for them to face ‘the stigma of shame and betrayal’.
These statements significantly heighten concerns for players’ safety if they return to Iran after the tournament.
FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has once again written to the AFC and FIFA, urging them to uphold human rights obligations under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, as well as FIFA’s Human Rights Policy, and to protect the players.
‘We call on the AFC and FIFA to immediately engage in dialogue with the Iranian Football Association, the Australian Government, and all other relevant authorities to ensure every possible measure is taken to safeguard the players’ safety.’
Iranian players stood in silence when the Iranian national anthem was played on the Gold Coast before their 3-0 defeat to South Korea on Monday, even though they sang and saluted before the 4-0 defeat to the hosts Australia three days later.
Reuters has contacted the Asian Football Confederation, the Iranian football federation, and the teams taking part in the Asia Cup for comment.
On the eve of their match against Australia, Iranian striker Sara Didar fought back tears and spoke about the war, while coach Marziyeh Jafari said her players were giving their best to focus on the tournament despite concerns for their families back home.
Iran will face the Philippines on Sunday in their final group match.
(Aljazeera/P-3)
According to Kensuke Takahashi, Indonesia, now led by Hector Souto, is in a highly prepared state to face the futsal giant Iran in the Asia Cup Futsal final.
Progress to the semi-finals marks the highest achievement by Indonesia in their 11 appearances in the Asia Cup Futsal since debut in 2002.
Hector Souto’s philosophy for the semi-final of the Asia Cup Futsal is simple yet demands high discipline: to steal momentum in the opening minutes.
Ahmad Habibie made a series of heroic saves to keep out the national team’s goal in the Asia Cup Futsal quarter-final against Vietnam.
The Asia Cup Futsal semi-final between Indonesia and Japan will be held at Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, on Thursday (5 February) at 19:00 WIB.
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