Iran players stay silent for anthem in apparent support for protests

World Cup footballers did not sing before match against England in apparent show of support for protesters back home

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Not a single member of the Iranian team sang their country's national anthem at the start of their World Cup match with England, in an attempt to distance themselves from their government.

One official on the touchline sang, only serving to highlight his isolation, but there was heavy booing of the anthem by the large Iranian crowd inside the stadium.