Before the game against Iran, the English team took a knee. People often refer to football as “the beautiful game,” and memorable plays from the sport’s most prestigious tournament, the World Cup, stick out like pearls.
What’s the most unforgettable love drama you’ve ever seen? For many people, the answer would be something that happened on a soccer field. The FIFA World Cup is often full of spectacular and emotional moments that captivate fans worldwide.
This was true of the early stages of the Qatar tournament, although not necessarily in the way commentators expected. So far it has been a theater of symbolism, and an audience of millions worldwide has witnessed extraordinary political gestures and registered those that ultimately did not materialize. The competition was a vivid reminder that silent messages are the communiqués of the powerless and are often strikingly effective.
The Iranian squad refused to perform the national anthem before their first game against England, a courageous act of rebellion that would be broadcast to the eyes of the theocracy in Tehran and the team’s desperate fans back home.
A young Iranian woman named Mahsa Amini was killed after being detained by the country’s “morality police” for allegedly breaking the country’s strict clothing standards, sparking months of protest. Though the Iranian government claims she died of a heart attack, many people suspect she was killed and brutally beaten while in police custody.
After scoring a goal, British comedian and actor Omid Djalili advised England players to cut their hair. Iran’s “haircut” symbolizes defiance, as women cut their hair and burn their headscarves.
The team hasn't adopted the gesture. But the players took the knee before the kick-off against Iran. This act of silent protest is now an established feature of Premier League matches in England, though it has its critics in the UK and the US, where it originated.
The England captain, Harry Kane, and his Welsh counterpart Gareth Bale, had indicated they wanted to wear a "One Love" armband in matches. Many hoped to see this as an expression of solidarity with the people in Qatar (and elsewhere) who face severe penalties for expressing their sexuality in public. But FIFA, world football's governing body, warned that a player displaying such a symbol could expect a penalty in the form of a booking. FIFA has authorised "No discrimination" armbands instead.