FIFPRO, the global body representing professional footballers, has urged the governing body responsible for the 2026 Asian Women’s Football Confederation Cup to protect the Iranian national team after they were labeled “wartime traitors” by an Iranian state television host.
World football’s governing bodies FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have both been called upon to “take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of players on the Iranian women’s national team”.
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Players from Iran’s women’s national team did not sing the national anthem before Australia’s Asia Cup opener against South Korea earlier this week.
The players showed a lack of patriotism and their actions reached the “highest level of disgrace”, Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, a host on Iran’s Radio Islamic Republic, said in a video widely circulated on social media.
“I just want to say one thing: wartime traitors must be dealt with more harshly,” Shabazzi said.
“Anyone who takes action against the country in war conditions must be dealt with more harshly. Things like our women’s football team not singing the national anthem… these people must be dealt with more harshly.”
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In a statement posted on social media platform X, FIFPRO released a strong and lengthy statement outlining its concerns.
“In addition to the dangers faced by players returning to Iran after the tournament, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania is deeply concerned by reports on Iranian state television publicly attacking team members for their silence during the playing of the national anthem before the opening game,” the statement read.
Video circulating online showed state television host Mohammad Reza Shahbazi calling on them to face the “shame of shame and betrayal”.
“These statements have significantly heightened concerns about the safety of players returning to Iran after the tournament.
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“FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has once again written to the AFC and FIFA calling on them to fulfill their human rights obligations under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and FIFA’s Human Rights Policy and to protect players.
“We call on the AFC and FIFA to urgently engage with the Iranian Football Association, the Australian Government and all other relevant authorities to ensure that every effort is made to protect the safety of players.”
Iran’s players observed a moment of silence as the national anthem was played before their 3-0 loss to South Korea in their first game on the Gold Coast on Monday, but they Sing and salute Three days later, hosts Australia were beaten 4-0.
Reuters has contacted the AFC, Iran Football Association and Asian Cup teams for comment.
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Ahead of the game against Australia, Iran forward Sara Didar fought back tears and spoke of the war, while coach Marziye Jaafari said her players were doing their best to focus on the game despite concerns about their families back home.
Iran will face the Philippines in their final group match on Sunday.