IRANIAN footballer’s families reportedly have been threatened with imprisonment and torture if the players don’t “behave” ahead of their game with the USA.
Massive protests threatening to bring down the brutal regime in Tehran have overshadowed Iran’s presence at the World Cup in Qatar – losing 6-2 to England before beating Wales 2-0.
Iran are second in the group as they hold advantage of the US – and could progress to the knockout stage for the first time in their six appearances at the World Cup.
But after seemingly caving into pressure to sing the Iranian national anthem ahead of their game against Wales, there are chilling reports that the regime is threatening the players’ families.
It is claimed the players were called into a meeting with members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – the shadowy religious army at the right-hand of the Ayatollah.
The players were told their families would face “violence and torture” if they didn’t sing the national anthem or if they joined any political protest against Tehran, reports CNN.
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Dozens of IRGC officers are allegedly on the ground in Qatar to monitor the players – who are banned from mingling outside the squad or meeting with foreigners.
“There are a large number of Iranian security officers in Qatar collecting information and monitoring the players,” the source said.
Iranian players had reportedly been offered “presents and cars” ahead of their game with England.
But after they stood silent during the national anthem – the attitude of their IRGC handlers quickly changed to threats of violence.
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The source also claimed Iran has sent hundreds of “actors” to pose as supporters cheering on the team.
Iran’s anthem was booed during their first games – and many supporters were carrying protest banners.
“For the next game against the US, the regime is planning to significantly increase the number of actors into the thousands,” the source said.
Qatari officials had been seen confronting some protesters – and there are fears Iranian spies could be gathering information on dissenters in the crowd.
Tehran has been brutally trying to crush an uprising over the death of Mahsa Amani, 22, in police custody in September.
She was allegedly beaten to death by the morality police after she was detained for wearing an “improper” headscarf.
Iran’s team mumbled their way through the national anthem ahead of their game with Wales.
It came as fears were already swirling that the team could reprisals back home – with calls for them to be granted asylum in the UK.
Opposition activists had warned the players could face punishment, and Iranian officials had made veiled threats towards them.
And meanwhile back home, former national team player Voria Ghafouri, 35, was detained last Thursday during a training session.
State media reported the 2018 World Cup star was arrested for engaging in “propaganda against the regime” and supporting “rioters.”
He was previously the captain of Iranian club Esteghlal before his contract was terminated and he moved to Foolad Khuzestan in the southwestern city of Ahvaz.
Political dissent is a crime in Iran – and is one of the offences subject to capital punishment, with 21 protesters already facing execution after sham trials since the start of the uprising in September.
Iranian officials had already been discussing cracking down on perceived disrespect to their national anthem and flag ahead of the World Cup.
And the courts have been taking a brutal line on people linked to the protests, with more than 15,000 people arrested and hundreds killed by the security forces.
And just last month, teenager Asra Panahi was beaten to death after she reportedly refused to sing a pro-government anthem.
State news agencies also reported just ten days ago an Iranian cleric during prayers called on athletes who disrespect the anthem to face punishment.
Iran’s current president is Ebrahim Raisi – who is known as “The Butcher” for his role in the massacre of thousands of protesters in 1988.
However, Iran has shown restraint in recent months – opting not punish climber Elnaz Rekabi who competed without the nation’s mandatory hijab.
And the Iranian men’s water polo team – who also refused to sing the anthem – have also so-far gone unpunished.
Protests demanding the fall of the ruling regime have gripped Iran since the death Mahsa.
Dozens of Iranian public figures, athletes and artists have displayed solidarity with the protesters.
The Iranian squad could not avoid being overshadowed by the anti-government unrest that has rattled the regime.
Ahead of the match, no Iranian player had voiced support for the demonstrations by compatriots from all walks of life.
It is one of the most sustained challenges to the cleric elite since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Before travelling to Doha the team met with hardline Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Photos of the players with Raisi, one of them bowing in front of him, went viral while the street unrest raged on, drawing an outcry on social media.
Some Iranian fans who went to Qatar for the World Cup made no secret of their solidarity with the unrest.
They carried banners that read “Women, Life, Freedom” in support of the protests.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
