Iran’s national soccer team pays tribute to victims of school airstrike
ANTALYA, Turkey — Members of Iran’s national soccer team carried small backpacks as they faced Nigeria on Friday to pay tribute to the victims of a tragic missile strike on an elementary school.
Over 165 individuals lost their lives, predominantly children, when a strike on February 28, reportedly launched by the U.S., targeted the school in southern Iran.
– Iran prohibits sports teams from traveling to ‘hostile’ countries
Neither the United States nor Israel has claimed responsibility for the incident, which has faced strong condemnation from the United Nations and various human rights organizations. The U.S. military is conducting an investigation and has stated that it would never intentionally target civilians.
During the national anthem on Friday, the Iranian squad commemorated the memory of the deceased children by placing small pink and purple school backpacks in front of them.
Footage of the ceremony also depicted the players donning black armbands in honor of those who have died since the onset of the conflict.
The match took place in Antalya, southern Turkey.
Nigeria emerged victorious with a score of 2-1 in a match that served as a World Cup preparation for Iran, ahead of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Islamic Republic’s team is set to compete in three group-stage matches in June in the U.S. The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City has indicated that the country requested FIFA to relocate those three games to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump advised the team against attending, citing safety issues.
Iranian government and soccer officials have expressed their desire not to boycott the World Cup but have stated that it is unfeasible for the national team to travel to the U.S. due to military actions against Iran by Israel and the U.S.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has dampened Iran’s efforts to relocate its matches, asserting that the governing body of global soccer intends for the tournament “to proceed as planned.”
In a separate development on Friday, Iran’s judiciary warned of potential property seizures involving soccer player Sardar Azmoun, according to two semiofficial news agencies. This announcement follows threats from Iran’s hardline judicial chief regarding plans to confiscate the assets of public figures perceived as critical of the government.
