Iran players' families threatened with imprisonment and torture before USA match

Iran's World Cup footballers have allegedly been threatened that their families may be imprisoned or tortured if they fail to "behave" during their match against USA.

It has been reported that Iran's players were brought to a meeting with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after they refused to sing their national anthem in their opening tournament match against England. The nation's anthem expresses its desire for the Islamic Republic to live forever.

That move came amid nationwide protests in Iran challenging Tehran's theocratic government continue. Saman Ghoddos, the only Iranian in the Premier League, recently told Mirror Football this month that it was right for players to speak up in support of those who are calling for change - regardless of potential repercussions.

Last week, former Iran international footballer Voria Ghafouri was arrested on the grounds of having "tarnished the reputation of the national team and spread propaganda against the state." That came one day before Iran played Wales, when their players did sing their national anthem.

A detailed report from CNN alleges that Iran's footballers were informed their families would face "violence and and torture" if they did not sing the national anthem or if they joined any political protest against the Tehran regime.

They claim that "a large number of Iranian security officers" have been brought to Qatar to monitor player's behaviour. They are not allowed to speak to foreigners or spend company in the time of fans outside of their environment.

It's also alleged that the Iranian regime have paid for a number of "actors" to be present in the stands of Iran's World Cup matches and that this number will rise into the thousands for the nation's final group game against USA on Tuesday.

A source told CNN: "There are a large number of Iranian security officers in Qatar collecting information and monitoring the players.

"In the last game against Wales, the regime sent over hundreds of these actor supporters in order to create a false sense of support and favor amongst the fans. For the next game against the U.S, the regime is planning to significantly increase the number of actors into the thousands," the source said.

Iran's World Cup campaign has been played to the backdrop of severe unrest and tensions in their home nation. Upon the Islamic Republic's request, Qatari authorities have been preventing Iranian fans from carrying "Lion and Sun" flag - which used to be Iran's national flag before 1979 Islamic Revolution - or the three-coloured flag with "Woman, Life, Freedom" slogan.

Team Melli fans at their opening two World Cup matches could be heard jeering to drown out the sound of their national anthem, which expresses its desire for the Islamic Republic to live forever. One group of Iran fans have also produced a flag in the stands which read: "Woman, Life, Freedom."

Hundreds of protestors have died in Tehran and other cities following the death in morality police custody of Mahsa Amini two months ago. The 22-year-old woman died in police custody having been arrested for not wearing her hijab correctly.

Meanwhile, Iran's state-affiliated media has called for FIFA to kick USA out of the World Cup after they posted an altered image of the Iranian flag as a show of support for women's rights in Iran. The USMNT's Twitter account removed the Islamic Republic's "Allah" emblem and the "takbirs" from Iran's three-coloured flag.

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