They refused to sing the national anthem at the World Cup premiere.
If Iranian players continue to protest the regime, there could be consequences.
Their families were threatened with imprisonment and torture, according to CNN.
When Iranian players lined up against England in the opening match of the World Cup and the national anthem blared over the loudspeakers, they stood in silence.
In their second group stage match, however, the situation was different. Then they sang, or at least moved their lips.
Threats of imprisonment and torture
A source told CNN that the IRGC called a meeting with the players after the England game.
The source states that the players will be informed of this “Their families will be subjected to violence and torture if they do not sing along with the national anthem or protest against the regime in Tehran.”writes CNN. According to the source, the players were threatened with the imprisonment of their families.
It is also said that players are very limited as to who they can meet during the tournament.
“A large number of Iranian security officials are in Qatar to collect information and monitor players,” the source told CNN.
protests in Iran
In Iran, there were major protests during the fall. The reason is that 22-year-old Mahsa Gina Amini died in September after being arrested for allegedly improperly wearing a hijab.
The fact that the Iranian national team players did not sing the national anthem at the World Cup premiere was seen as a way to support the protests in the country.
Iran will face the United States in the last match in the group stage tonight, starting at eight in the evening.