Reporter’s notebook As team inside the stadium stayed silent for national anthem

‘I’m talking to an Israeli journalist!’ Giggles and grace from Iranians at World Cup

Most Iranian fans outside Doha’s Khalifa stadium politely decline to speak with ToI. But some do, while one Tehran resident conveys his implied support for change with a mime

By Ash Obel Today, 3:16 pm

Illustrative: Iranian soccer fans pose for a selfie prior to the World Cup group B soccer match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

DOHA, Qatar — Wearing the white shirt of the Iranian national soccer team, Mohammad turned to his friend with a broad smile and told him, “I’m talking to an Israeli journalist!” a notion so ridiculous to the two men that it elicited a bout of laughter, in which I very tentatively joined.

As the sun set behind Khalifa International Stadium, Iranian fans filed into the mega venue in western Doha for their national team’s clash with England on Monday. Outside the grounds, much of the media circus was focused on the rare opportunity to hear from Iranian citizens face-to-face, away from the prying eyes of the regime.

As I approached people wearing Iranian colors for comment, many seemed happy to talk — that is, until I quickly introduced myself and the publication I write for. At that point the polite excuses began. “I’m in a rush, sorry,” was a common refrain.

Mohammad, a PhD student in social communication and media at Tehran University, was prepared to talk, however. After he and his friend had stopped giggling at the sheer absurdity of speaking to The Times of Israel, he posited that the anti-regime protests in his country were being fueled by Western media, which he said was far more “powerful” than Iran’s “weak” media. “It’s a media war,” he said as he waited patiently to pass through the stadium’s strict security protocol.

Mohammad pointed out that “all countries have social problems — everyone, even Israel,” but insisted “we have to make a good social situation for our people.”

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He said women’s rights are “an agenda in Iran, in the Middle East, in Qatar. If you pay attention to the media you can see the human rights problem in Qatar too. I see the problem as global, not just Iran.”

Iran supporters wave their national flag bearing the word “Woman” as they cheer during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 21, 2022. (Photo by Fadel Senna / AFP)

Two Iranians from Tehran who operate a travel agency told me that while it was difficult for them to comment, change in Iran was needed.

When asked what kind of change, one of them mimed stroking an imaginary long beard, a subtle reference to Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khameini and the Shiite clerics who control their country.

Another man began to discuss the myriad problems in Iran before I had managed to say “Times of Israel,” then halted mid-sentence to ask, “Which publication are you from?” At that point he ended our interview with a flick of his wrist, adding curtly, “And we’re done, bye-bye.”

It was the only instance of anything approaching hostility I encountered when identifying myself as a reporter from Israel and speaking to Iranians. Most diplomatically declined to speak, some explaining it would be “problematic” for them.

An Iran supporter waits for the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 21, 2022. (Photo by Fadel Senna/AFP)

Even those who did speak understandably opted not to be photographed or give their full names.

One fan who spoke readily was Navid Dozadeh, 22, a professional soccer player for the Al-Ahli club, which competes in Qatar’s top Stars League. Dozadeh’s family lives with him in Doha, though he has many relatives in Iran.

The Al-Ahli striker suggested that Iran’s strict hijab laws were frivolous, demonstrating with his hand the different parts of the head that the headscarf is required to cover.

Iran players listen to the national anthem ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 21, 2022. (FADEL SENNA/AFP)

“So if it is like that, just make it free [for women],” he said. “It’s bad. It’s bad for women and for girls. There’s no freedom for girls, they have to wear a hijab. Some people don’t like to wear a hijab.”

While women in Iran are mandated by law to wear the Islamic headscarf, many Iranian women entering the stadium on Monday were bareheaded.

Dozadeh said that if he were in Tehran, he would certainly join the protest movement. “Everyone is joining,” he exclaimed.

The protest movement is “gonna change everything. It’s going to be the same like Europe. I hope so,” he added.

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Inside the stadium, the entire Iranian soccer team, affectionately known by fans as Team Melli, chose to support the protest movement by refraining from singing the national anthem.

In the stands, Iranian fans, both men and women, could be heard booing the anthem when it was played. In Iran, women are generally banned from entering soccer stadiums.

Some fans raised flags and banners featuring the protest slogan “Women. Life. Freedom.”

Videos purportedly filmed in a Tehran neighborhood showed Iranian fans cheering during the game. According to some reports, however, the cheers were for goals scored by England in its 6-2 victory, not Iran.

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‘I’m talking to an Israeli journalist!’ Giggles and grace from Iranians at World Cup

Most Iranian fans outside Doha’s Khalifa stadium politely decline to speak with ToI. But some do, while one Tehran resident conveys his implied support for change with a mime

DOHA, Qatar — Wearing the white shirt of the Iranian national soccer team, Mohammad turned to his friend with a broad smile and told him, “I’m talking to an Israeli journalist!” a notion so ridiculous to the two men that it elicited a bout of laughter, in which I very tentatively joined.

While women in Iran are mandated by law to wear the Islamic headscarf, many Iranian women entering the stadium on Monday were bareheaded.

Dozadeh said that if he were in Tehran, he would certainly join the protest movement. “Everyone is joining,” he exclaimed.

Inside the stadium, the entire Iranian soccer team, affectionately known by fans as Team Melli, chose to support the protest movement by refraining from singing the national anthem.

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