Iran’s Men’s Football Team Held Schoolbags To Pay Tribute To The Children Killed By The US-Israeli Strike On A Girls’ School
The backpacks, decorated with ribbons, were meant to represent the students killed in the strike, with players holding them close to their hearts in remembrance.
Iran’s men's national football team wore black armbands and held schoolbags as their national anthem played ahead of a match to pay tribute to the children killed in the US and Israel’s strike on a girls’ elementary school in Iran at the beginning of the war.
As part of their joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28, Israel and the US bombed the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in the town of Minab, killing more than 175 people, mostly children.
On Friday, March 27, during a friendly match against Nigeria in Turkey, Iranian players lined up holding pink and purple backpacks to their chests as Iran’s national anthem played.
The backpacks, decorated with ribbons, were meant to represent the students killed in the strike, with players holding them close to their hearts in remembrance.
The vice president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) told Reuters that they staged the protest in solidarity with the victims.
“[The players]were deeply affected by the bombing of the girls’ school and wanted to express their sympathy,” he said. “This was a collective decision by the team. We are united.”
While the US has not formally concluded its investigation, preliminary findings from US military investigators suggest it is “likely” that American forces were responsible after video evidence revealed a US Tomahawk missile struck the school.
The protest comes as Iran faces growing uncertainty over its participation in the 2026 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City has requested that FIFA relocate their games to Mexico over safety concerns, following remarks by US President Donald Trump, according to ABC News.
“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The friendly match ended in a 2–1 victory for Nigeria.
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Flavie Chen
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Flavie Chen
