sport news A heroes' welcome? Iran's World Cup team is greeted by flag-waving fans at ... trends now
After being eliminated from the World Cup by Team USA in the Group B finale, Team Iran returned to Tehran on Wednesday amid fears for players' safety.
The team received a subdued reception after the demoralizing 1-0 defeat, a match played against the backdrop of ongoing anti-government protests in Iran, where one man was shot dead celebrating the American victory.
Dozens of flag-carrying fans greeted the players with signs reading 'soldiers of the country' as the team arrived at Imam Khomeini Airport early Wednesday. Despite the outward support, human rights activists have voiced concern for players, many of whom refused to sing the Iranian national anthem before the Group B opener against England. The move has been perceived as a show of support for anti-government protests.
Iran's Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz (C) is surrounded by fans as he arrives at Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran on December 1, 2022 after the Iranian national team competed in the Qatar 2022 World Cup
Iran's forward Sardar Azmoun and teammates arrive at Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran
Iran fans wave flags as they gather at Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran on December 1
Meanwhile, many protesters consider the team a symbol of Iran's clerical rulers, and actually celebrated the loss with fireworks and cheers. As a result, Mehran Samak, 27, was shot dead after honking his car in support of the US win after Tuesday's match in the city of Bandar Anzali in northwest Iran. Oslo-based Iran Human Rights reported he was 'shot in the head by state forces when he went out to celebrate the Islamic Republic's loss.'
The players have not strictly supported their government. Team captain, Ehsan Hajsafi, previously addressed the protest in a press conference before the Group B opener, garnering public support.
'We have to accept that the conditions in our country are not right and our people are not happy,' he said.
Since then, Iran has gone 1-2 in Group play, beating Wales but losing to England and the US.
Christian Pulisic of the U.S. collides with Iran's Alireza Beiranvand after scoring a goal
Fans take photos of Iran's Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz (C) as he arrives at Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran on December 1, 2022 after the Iranian national team competed in the Qatar 2022 World Cup
Iran's treatment of the players will likely be scrutinized because they refrained from singing the Islamic Republic's national anthem during their opening World Cup match. Many considered the move a show of solidarity with the protests. The team did sing the anthem in subsequent matches.
Gabriel Noronha, the US state department's former Iran adviser, told The Times of London that the national team has always been seen as a
