Iran's national football team protested against the killing of schoolgirls during a friendly match in Turkey on Friday. The players wore black armbands and held schoolbags as their national anthem played before facing Nigeria in Belek. A team official confirmed the gesture was in memory of the victims of an attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school, which Tehran claims killed more than 175 people, including children and teachers.
The attack occurred on the first day of joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran. US military investigators believe it is likely their own forces were responsible, though no final conclusion has been reached. The players held pink and purple bags with ribbons, referencing the school tragedy. 'The players are holding the school bags close to their heart in remembrance of the 165 girls the Americans killed in an Iranian school,' an Iranian team spokesperson said.
Iran's participation in the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada remains uncertain due to the conflict. The Iranian football federation had requested that their matches be moved from the US to Mexico, but Fifa rejected the proposal. Separately, some Iran women's team players recently stayed silent during the national anthem at an Asian Cup match, prompting state TV to label them 'traitors'.
Iran lost Friday's match 2-1 to Nigeria. They are scheduled to play Costa Rica in another friendly in Turkey on Tuesday.
