Iran were hammered 6-2 in the Group B opening match by England
After his side lost 6-2 against England in their World Cup opener in Qatar on Monday, Carlos Queiroz criticized Iran’s fans.
Carlos Queiroz criticized Iran’s fans, telling them to “stay home” if they “aren’t ready to support the team.”
The Iran players’ apparent refusal to perform the national anthem as a sign of support for anti-government demonstrators in their country made Monday’s Group B encounter extremely tense.
Human rights organizations claim that more than 400 people have died as a result of the crackdown on protests in Iran, which started after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, passed away in police custody after being detained for refusing to wear her hijab, in September.
Throughout the entire anthem, there were also boos, and some Iran supporters were spotted waving placards declaring their support for women’s rights.
In his post-game press conference, Queiroz urged Iran’s supporters to support their team wholeheartedly, branding some of them as “teachers” and “moralists.”
- Qatar’s coach was not bothered about their fans leaving the stadium before the game ended
- Qatar’s coach was not bothered about their fans leaving the stadium before the game ended
“Please, the teachers, the moralists, let the kids play the game. These kids only want to play the game,” Queiroz said.
“I hope the players of England and Wales and United States praise them for having the courage to play the game. They are here to bring pride and happiness to the people.
“You don’t know what the kids have been experiencing behind the scenes just because they want to play football. Whatever they [the players] say, they [critics] want to kill them.
“Of course, we have our opinions and we will express them in the right time. But I love the game and don’t want the players to do something that isn’t loyal to the game that is about the entertainment, joy and pride.
“Everyone knows the present circumstances of the environment of my players is not the best environment. They are human beings, they are kids.
“They only have one dream, to play for the country, to play for the people and I am very proud of the way they stand up and keep fighting.
“I am very proud of what they did but of course in 2014 and 2018 we had full support of the fans. You saw what happened today, the fans who aren’t ready to support the team should stay home.”
