Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia say anthem silence was anti-regime protest

Two Iranian national soccer players who sought asylum after traveling to Australia have described their silence during the playing of the Islamic Republic's national anthem as an act of protest against the regime. The players, whose identities have not been disclosed, emphasized in media interviews that their silence was intended as a gesture of solidarity with demonstrators killed during the domestic crackdown in Iran. At the time of the matches, the Iranian team provided no explanation for the silence, leading some observers to speculate that it was a sign of mourning amid ongoing conflict. This report, published by the Times of Israel, highlights the political dimensions surrounding the participation of Iranian athletes in international events.