DOHA, Qatar — The Iranians traveled early and loudly to watch their favorites’ games against England on Monday at the World Cup. During the 50-minute journey from downtown Doha to the Al Khalifa Stadium, it is impossible to take two steps without hearing the din caused by a new vuvuzela, each time followed by a powerful cry to the glory of the country.
The field would eventually give its verdict, but at the pre-match party, the English were no match.
However, not everyone had the heart to celebrate. For many, this incursion of the national team into the daily lives of millions of people around the world was an opportunity to bring out the bad guy, to spit out their truth, to expel their fed up. To sound the alarm.
Farhad Sadough was not wearing the jersey of his beloved selection. His outfit for this match day: a simple white t-shirt stamped with three words printed in the colors of the country’s flag. WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM. Woman, life, freedom.Farhad Sadough
For those three words, Sadough received the attention of the cameras and was offered what he was looking for, the opportunity to deliver his message. In the streets of Tehran, the same syllables can get you jail, or worse, death.
Iran has been the scene of fierce protests since the death in mid-September of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who was detained after her arrest for failing to respect the dress code to which women in the country must conform. Two months later, the streets of the country remain occupied by protesters of the regime of President Ebrahim Raïssi.
From a distance, their fellow expatriates like Farhad, who lives in Germany, and his three friends from San Diego, support them as best they can knowing full well that their contribution to the protest movement does not entail the same risks.
“They don’t have the freedom of expression that we have,” laments the fifty-year-old.
“We are proud of our country at the moment, adds Bahman Jalali. Proud to see that young people are revolting. »
“And we are hopeful that things will change, continues a friend who prefers to keep his name silent. These young people will not stop until they are guaranteed a better future. They can’t stop there, they have to act. How does it feel to be 25 and have your whole life ahead of you if you know you have no future? Nothing. This has to change and we hope it will. That the murders will stop and that our young people can live in a free country. »
A golden silence
There will always be those who argue that sports and politics shouldn’t be part of the same conversation.
“People don’t care as much about this whole story as the media tries to make it out to be,” claims a 33-year-old man draped in his Iranian flag. In reality, we just want to enjoy football. Everything that is said around does not interest the majority, who simply want to support their national team and nothing more. »
“Anything that is not about football should stay away from football. »
The 25 players he came to encourage seem to think otherwise. The day before, Captain Ehsan Hajsafi spoke at a press conference to show his support for the people of his country. “You have to accept that the conditions in our country are not right and that people are not happy. We’re here, but that doesn’t mean we can’t carry their voices or show them our respect. »
The statement may seem innocuous, but in an oppressive country like Iran, it can have serious consequences. “I understand and I respect Iranians who don’t dare to speak because I know the risks they run if they offend the wrong people,” explains Ehsan Gomi, a 44-year-old Iranian-Toronto man. I’ll be super honest, I don’t think I would say a word if I was still there. [Le gouvernement] can put pressure on your family, on your possessions… It takes balls to be an activist in this country. »
However, for most people interviewed by RDS, Hajsafi’s voice was insufficient. They wanted gestures.
“The captain said what he had to say, but we hope they have something else planned to really show their solidarity with our people,” says TJ, also wearing a jersey bearing the image of Mahsa Amini.
Majid and TJ
Some hoped to see their favorites kneel before the start of the match or wear a black bracelet on their wrist. Others wondered if they shouldn’t boycott the national anthem outright instead. These have seen their idea retained.
When the music of the patriotic song resounded in the Al Khalifa, the eleven holders of Team Melli remained frozen, their lips motionless, their gaze stoic.
“Here’s what I’m going to say, we had launched an anonymous disgruntled a few hours earlier. Have you ever been to a game of your national team, but hated the national anthem and hated the flag? That’s my opinion. We are not comfortable with what is happening, but we want the players to come together and do what needs to be done. »
The Iranian team lost 6-2 to England. She has earned the respect of her worshippers.
Ehsan Gomi
Tags: EnglandIran sport
