Reactions to Iran's Loss Against Qatar; Tears and Smiles from Supporters and Critics

On Wednesday, February 7, the Iranian national football team lost 3-2 to Qatar in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup at the Al Thumama Stadium, failing to reach the finals. This defeat had a significant impact on social media, eliciting various reactions from users. Some supporters of the Islamic Republic and so-called "value-oriented" figures praised the players, coaches, and the football federation for their efforts, attributing the loss to factors like "refereeing errors" or "bad luck" and calling for support for the national team. Others harshly criticized head coach Amir Ghalenoei, the coaching staff, and certain players like Mehdi Taremi, whom they deemed among the weakest on the field, demanding Ghalenoei's dismissal and a change in this "boastful and unworthy generation" of Iranian football. This group believed the national team defeated itself rather than being defeated by the opponent, missing the best opportunity to win the championship. However, many opponents of the Islamic Republic congratulated Iran on its loss and celebrated. They claimed that these players, due to their lack of support for the people during nationwide protests, are members of the "government team," "Islamic Republic," "clergymen," or "mullahs," rather than the national team of Iran. Others viewed the loss to Qatar as a consequence of the players' silence regarding the execution of young people like Mohammad Qabadi, the killing of protesters like Mehran Samak, or the death of Sahar Khodayari, known as Blue Girl. They argued that the "sigh" and "curse" of the deceased and their families would not leave these "unpatriotic" players, and this team would never achieve success. Some users pointed out that when a team lacks popular support, its victories and defeats are meaningless, attributing this failure to the misconduct of players who were once beloved by millions of Iranians. They claimed that the Iranian players turned their backs on their people by choosing the "murderers of the nation" and stood on the "wrong side of history." Another group noted the coincidence of this defeat with the birthday of Amir Nasr Azadani, a footballer sentenced to years in prison by the Islamic Republic for participating in nationwide protests and standing with the people. They stated that players who were not even willing to verbally support another player do not deserve support and that "it is better they lost." Some users remarked that the Islamic Republic intended to celebrate winning the Asian Cup on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on February 11, describing the loss to Qatar as a "great blessing." They argued that the government always uses athletes and sports teams as tools to promote its goals and ideals, but this defeat prevented the propaganda use of football. Others, referencing the support of the Islamic Republic and Qatar for the terrorist group Hamas, humorously wrote that "Hamas's political office defeated Hamas's military branch 3-2." However, some believe that the players and the Iranian team should be separated from the government and that the Islamic Republic should not be allowed to appropriate the national team. They argue that athletes and sports team members are also part of the people and should be given a chance to return to the embrace of the nation, even if they make mistakes. During the nationwide protests of 2022 and coinciding with the Iranian national team's presence at the World Cup in Qatar, a significant distance was created between football fans and the Iranian team due to the players' indifference to events in the country. Despite some symbolic statements and actions from the players, many people remain disappointed with them, and the Iranian team's presence in the Asian Cup was also affected by this sentiment.