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The Iran women's football team became "heroes" when they declined to sing the country's national anthem at the Asian Cup, says former Iran men's head coach Afshin Ghotbi.
Iran's players were silent for the anthem in their opening match against South Korea on 2 March. It came amid the wider context of escalating conflict following strikes by the United States and Israel on their homeland since 28 February.
Iran has launched missiles and drones towards Israel and four Gulf Arab countries which host US military bases - Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
During weeks of anti-government protests in Iran in December and January, at least 7,000 protesters were killed in an unprecedented crackdown by security forces, according to human rights groups.
Some Iranians hoped the recent military attacks on the country's leadership would lead to a swift regime change, but doubts have since been raised about that prospect.
The Iran players sang and saluted during the anthem in their following matches against tournament hosts Australia and the Philippines.
"Imagine the pressure," a tearful Ghotbi said, speaking to BBC Sport.
"You want to compete at your best, but then before even the game starts you have to decide how you're going to stand, how you're going to look and what you're going to do. I just think that's so unfair."
Ghotbi said he saw something similar with the Iran men's team during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
"The players were confused about what to do," he said.
"If they salute and sing the national anthem, they are embraced and endeared by the government. If they do that, the fans, the Iranian people hate them."
The differing approaches of the women's team led to speculation they had been forced to take part in the anthem by government officials accompanying them during the tournament as part of the delegation.
The team had been due to fly home after their elimination from the tournament, but concerns about their safety emerged when footage of a state TV host emerged calling them "traitors" who ought to be punished for refusing to sing the anthem.
"These women... have become symbolic, they become heroes," said Ghotbi, who managed Iran's men's team between 2009 and 2011.
"Everyone around the world will be following up and how they're treated and what's going to happen to them, so I hope that politicians on all sides just leave them alone and let them live their lives."
On Monday, five members of the team were granted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia, while the remaining players flew out of the country on Tuesday night.
"All people deserve freedom. They deserve the basics in life. And I think that's what these women are fighting for. They want to be free. They want to be allowed to be who they want to be. And we should allow them," Ghotbi added.
