It’s a bad time in Iran. There are mass protests against the regime following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September. It all happened after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf inappropriately. The sad state of affairs caused a massive rift in the Islamic country, with their beloved football team receiving nothing but bad vibes ahead of the World Cup.Can the Mane-less Teranga Lions reach the 2022 World Cup knockout stage?The latest quotes from their captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh show that the squad is on the verge of boycotting the country they’re supposed to represent. Other Iranian national sides in other sports have refused to sing the national anthem at recent events – but the football team is by far the most popular in the Asian country.##NAJAVA_MECA_6824792##The Feyenoord winger Jahanbakhsh can’t confirm whether his side will sing the national anthem ahead of Monday’s match with England.”Celebrations are something very personal. Every player has different celebrations. And you ask about the national anthem. That is also something that has to be decided in the team. But everybody is only thinking and talking about football.”Alireza Jahanbakhsh on whether #TeamMelli’s players would chant #Iran’s national anthem during the 2022 FIFA World Cup: “celebration and chanting the anthem is a personal decision, and we are trying not to make a big deal out of it.” pic.twitter.com/ZdpolbcwYH— Hatam Shiralizadeh (@hatam_daddy1980) November 17, 2022 The former Brighton player also accused the English media of engaging in mind games after being asked how events at home had impacted Iran’s preparation.”I’m not sure if England weren’t in our group you would have come with this question. This was all the headlines as we get closer to the World Cup.”##SPECIAL_STANDINGS_Group B##
