Iranian footballers protest: on the pitch with a backpack during the anthem
A spokesperson explained that 'it was an idea that came about to pay tribute to the very young victims of the Shajareh Tayyebeh school' in Minab
In the hands of each player, clutched to his chest, a purple schoolbag; on his arm, a black armband in sign of mourning: this is how the Iranian national football team appeared on the pitch before the friendly match against Nigeria, in protest during the national anthem to remember the children killed in the US bombing of the primary schools in the Iranian city of Minab in the early stages of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
The incident happened on 27 March at the Mardan Sports Complex stadium in Aksu, Antalya, Turkey. According to Fanpage.it, a spokesman for the national team explained that 'it was an idea born to pay tribute to the young victims of the Shajareh Tayyebeh school. According to the authorities in Tehran, the building that housed the school was hit during the first joint attacks by the US and Israel, causing the death of as many as 175 people, including 165 girls. According to reports in the New York Times at the time, the missile was indeed fired by the US military, but due to a mistake'. Iran's participation in the World Cup is in high doubt due to the war in the Middle East. The friendly match then ended with Nigeria winning 2-1.
