Iran striker Mehdi Taremi mentioned there was no strain on the nationwide staff after gamers refused to sing the nationwide anthem of their World Cup opener towards England.
The determination by the Iranian staff to not sing the nationwide anthem on Monday in an obvious present of help for the protesters again hand-crafted headlines all over the world.
The gamers stood in silence because the nationwide anthem was performed on the Khalifa International Stadium, whereas their followers shouted and made the thumbs-down gesture.
Iran has been rocked for greater than two months by the demise of a younger girl within the custody of the nation’s morality police, one of many largest challenges to the nation’s clerical leaders because the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iranian state tv turned away from its dwell broadcast of the match as gamers lined up earlier than the sport for the nationwide anthem.
“I said before that I will not answer such questions, but I will this time,” Taremi advised a press convention on the eve of their second match towards Wales on Thursday.
“We are not under pressure. Football journalists should be respected in football tournaments and everything that has nothing to do with football should be put aside.”
The information convention lasted simply over half-hour, with questions on soccer taking over slightly below a 3rd of the time, and reporters had been requested by the media supervisor to avoid wasting their remaining questions on the scenario in Iran after the match.
Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz mentioned that the media has the best to query politics associated to sports activities.
“Is it fair to continue asking political questions? It is freedom of the press and it is our right not to respond and to respect and understand our position, ”mentioned the Portuguese.
“Others ought to respect 3,000 years of (Iranian) historical past, tradition, historical past and science. Iranians are properly educated and well mannered and are properly appreciated by different residents all over the world.
The 69-year-old coach mentioned it was unfair for the media to ask the gamers questions on human rights.
“It is strange that you do not ask these questions to other coaches and players, some of them do not talk about such matters in their countries,” mentioned Queiroz.
“Let the players play football like other teams, the players are not the enemy of the fans.”
Queiroz mentioned goalkeeper Alireza Baranvand would miss the Wales recreation after struggling a head damage throughout a 6–2 defeat to England, however would return for Iran’s remaining group recreation towards the United States.
“We are excited to face Wales who’re coming again after an absence of 64 years. The Red Wall (Wales followers) create an amazing ambiance. The match towards England was the very best coaching to face Wales.
“I am confident that the team will regain its personality and winning mentality and prove that we deserve to win.”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
