Iran played their first match in the tournament against England.

They had stayed silent at Khalifa International Stadium on Monday in an apparent expression of support for anti-government protests in Iran, reports BBC.

As the players joined in with the anthem on Friday, loud jeers could be heard from Iran fans in the stadium, the British media reported.

Fierce crackdown occurred amid growing protests in Iran.

Protests took place in the country amid the death of  Mahsa Amini in custody.

The 22-year-old woman was detained by morality police for allegedly breaking the strict rules around head coverings.

Following calls from UN human rights chief Volker Türk for an independent investigation into ongoing deadly violence against protesters in Iran, the Human Rights Council has created a fact-finding mission, related to the protests that began on 16 September 2022.

The Council, meeting in special session in response to the crisis that was sparked by the death in September in police custody of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini, heard Mr. Türk criticize “the fortress mentality of those who wield power” in Iran.

The “unnecessary and disproportionate use of force” must end, he insisted.