The Iran women’s football team became “heroes” when they declined to sing the country’s national anthem at the Asian Cup, says former Iran men’s head coach Afshin Ghotbi.
Before their opening match against South Korea women’s national football team on March 2, 2026 the Iranian players chose not to sing the national anthem. The moment came during a time of intense political and social tension surrounding Iran, making their decision a highly symbolic act watched by audiences around the world.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Sport, Ghotbi reflected on the difficult position athletes face when politics and sport collide.
“They want to compete at their best,” he said, “but before the match even begins, they must decide how to stand, how to look, and what message their actions may send. That’s an incredibly unfair burden for athletes.”
Ghotbi, who previously coached the Iran men’s national football team from 2009 to 2011, said the situation reminded him of similar dilemmas faced by players during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Despite the pressure, he believes the women’s team demonstrated remarkable bravery and dignity.
“These women have become symbols,” Afshin Ghotbi said. “They have become heroes. Around the world, people are watching what happens next, and I hope they are allowed to live their lives in peace.”
Several players have since received humanitarian support abroad, while others returned home following the tournament. For Ghotbi, the moment highlights a broader truth about the power of sport.
“All people deserve freedom and the basic rights to live their lives,” he said. “These women simply want to be free and to be who they choose to be.”
The episode serves as a reminder that football can be more than a game, it can also be a powerful platform for courage, identity, and the universal pursuit of freedom
Source: BBC NEWS
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c1e95p9nqxdo
