Joyful scenes on the streets of Iran have been shared widely on social media as the country mounts protests and continues to cut ties with a football team it sees as part of an oppressive regime.
Iran’s soccer team’s loss to the United States at the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday sparked unusual celebrations in their home country. A stark contrast to the reaction expected after any national soccer team loses. Joyful scenes on the streets of Iran have been shared widely on social media as the country mounts protests and continues to cut ties with a soccer team it sees as part of an oppressive regime.
Mahsa Amini was killed in custody by Iran’s notorious morality police on September 16 for not wearing her hijab properly. Since then, at least 488 people have died in protests against Amini’s death, according to Iran Human Rights (IHR). These figures include 60 children and 29 women. Videos shared on Twitter showed Iranians dancing in the streets. In a rare appearance after videos of burning tires and protesting crowds emerged in the country in recent months. But the dancing and ceremonial slaughter was also a form of protest. As they were judging soccer teams for the World Cup in such a turbulent time.
celebration erupts all over iran after uSA win
Protests over the death of Mahsa Amini have rocked the country since September, killing more than 300 people, including children. On September 16, Mahsa Amini was killed in police custody by Iran’s notorious. Morality police for not wearing her hijab properly. In Mahsa Amini’s hometown of Sakas, as well as in several other Iranian cities, residents celebrated the holiday with fireworks. Iran Wire, a London-based website, said on Twitter:
“After the first US goal against Iran’s soccer team, the citizens of Saqas started celebrating and using fireworks.” “Who would have thought that I would jump three meters and celebrate the goal of the USA!”. Iranian sports journalist Saeed Zafarani tweeted after the loss. They lost to the people, their opponents and even the “government”.
Since then, protests have spread across the country, questioning the government’s authority. In their own protest, Iran’s national football team refused to sing. The national anthem before their opening game against England on November 22. While some consider the uprising brave, many Iranians. Still say the soccer team does not represent the Iranian people, but the government.