Iran’s First Match Under the Shadow of Public Protests
The England national team is set to face our national team today during one of the toughest and most significant periods in the history of this country’s football. The team and its coach have traveled to Qatar under circumstances where, after reaching the semi-finals of the two most recent prestigious tournaments—the last World Cup and the European Championship games—expectations among the British have risen sharply. It is these heightened expectations that, following the team’s recent defeats, have unleashed a wave of criticism towards Gareth Southgate.
However, for the first match and England’s encounter with Iran, British media, although not giving much chance to our national team, have taken a special look beyond the game’s result at the behavior of Iranian players and the reflection of Iran’s public protests and governmental suppressions. Social activism and showing commitment and belief in values have become part of the professional athletes’ activities, and British media have found the behavior of Iranian players noteworthy and are awaiting their reaction or lack thereof to events in Iran. Naturally, these media are also aware of the security restrictions faced by Iranian players.