Podbit · Pod Save the World
The Iranian national team stood silent and stony-faced during their national anthem in solidarity with the protest movement sparked by Mahsa Amini's murder. Families of players still in Iran face retaliation. Some fans back home wanted the team to not play at all; others felt the gesture didn't go far enough.
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At 59:36 · chapter starts 59:30
Against the backdrop of institutional cowardice, the episode surfaces genuine moments of courage. The Iranian national team [1] — Tommy Vitor "The Iranian national team stood silent and stony-faced during their national anthem in solidarity with the protest movement sparked by Mahs…" 59:36 stood utterly silent during their national anthem — stony-faced, not celebrating goals — in solidarity with the protest movement sparked by Mahsa Amini's murder by the morality police. Roger notes that many Iranian fans in the country wanted the team to not play at all, while others felt the silent protest didn't go far enough; the families of players remain in Iran and face real consequences. The Danish team wore specially designed Hummel jerseys with muted crests and sponsor logos, with Hummel issuing a statement that they didn't 'wish to be visible during a tournament that's cost thousands of people their lives.' [2] — Roger Bennett "The Danish national team wore specially made Hummel jerseys with muted crests and sponsor logos as a symbol of mourning for migrant workers…" 1:04:08 Welsh fans had rainbow bucket hats confiscated. And in the episode's most Orwellian detail, FIFA stepped in to ban the word 'love' — which Belgium had printed as a tiny detail inside their collar — because it was too politically charged for the world's most-watched sporting event.
The Danish national team wore specially made Hummel jerseys with muted crests and sponsor logos as a symbol of mourning for migrant workers who died building the stadiums. Hummel's statement: 'We don't wish to be visible during a tournament that's cost thousands of people their lives.' Roger calls it the most effective messaging moment of the tournament.
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