BY Grace Zigah
Tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East cast a shadow over the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after players of the Iran women’s national football team changed their stance on singing the national anthem during their group stage match against Australia women’s national football team.
Before the fixture against the tournament hosts, the Iranian players stood and saluted while singing their national anthem — a noticeable shift from their earlier silence ahead of their opening match against South Korea women’s national football team.
In that first match, the players remained still and did not sing, a gesture widely interpreted as reflecting the tense political climate surrounding events unfolding in their homeland.
The contrasting scenes unfolded against the backdrop of escalating regional conflict following air strikes carried out by the United States and Israel inside Iran. The attacks reportedly began two Saturdays ago, after the Iranian team had already arrived in Australia for the tournament.
According to estimates from the Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 1,100 Iranian civilians have been killed since the start of the air strikes, intensifying emotions among the Iranian diaspora and the team competing abroad.
Although Iranian officials have not provided an explanation for the change in the players’ behaviour during the anthem, some observers claim the shift may have been influenced by pressure from authorities.
Alireza Mohebbi, an Australia-based correspondent for Iran International TV, told ABC News that the players appeared to be acting under instructions.
“It’s completely obvious that the Islamic Republic’s regime, and the security team accompanying the players in Australia, forced them to sing and perform the military salute,” Mohebbi said.
Players themselves have largely avoided addressing the controversy directly, though striker Sara Didar spoke emotionally about the emotional toll of the situation, highlighting the anxiety of competing far from home while their families remain in a country experiencing conflict.
Head coach Marziyeh Jafari also acknowledged the difficult circumstances facing the team, noting that the players are deeply affected by events in Iran but remain focused on the competition.
“No one likes what’s happening. No one wants war,” Jafari said during a press conference, while insisting that the team had travelled to Australia “to play football.”
On the pitch, Iran’s situation has also become precarious. A 4-0 defeat to Australia has left the team in a must-win position ahead of their final group match against the Philippines women’s national football team.
Only a victory in that fixture will keep their hopes alive of reaching the knockout stage of the tournament.
The national anthem episode echoes similar scenes involving the Iran men’s national football team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when male players remained silent before their opening game against England national football team, before later singing in their second match against Wales national football team.
That earlier protest came amid widespread demonstrations inside Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after being detained by the country’s morality police.
Political tensions were also visible outside the stadium on Australia’s Gold Coast before Thursday’s match. Dozens of Iranian-Australians gathered outside the venue waving Israeli, Australian and pre-revolution Iranian flags, highlighting the deeply divided emotions among diaspora communities regarding the situation in Iran.
