World Cup 2022: Iran's Ehsan Hajsafi speaks out over conditions in his home country

Ehsan Hajsafi is skipper of Iran's nationalist side

Iran defender Ehsan Hajsafi spoke retired against the concern successful his location state earlier his nation's opening crippled against England astatine the World Cup.

Speaking to reporters up of Monday's crippled successful Qatar, the 32-year-old said the players "support" those who person died.

"We person to judge that the conditions successful our state are not close and our radical are not happy," helium said.

Human rights activists person said much than 400 protesters person been killed and 16,800 others arrested successful a crackdown by information forces.

Iran's leaders accidental the protests are "riots" orchestrated by the country's overseas enemies.

"Before thing else, I would similar to explicit my condolences to each of the bereaved families successful Iran," Hajsafi said astatine the commencement of the quality conference.

"They should cognize that we are with them, we enactment them and we sympathise with them."

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"We cannot contradict the conditions - the conditions successful my state are not bully and the players cognize it also," the AEK Athens full-back added.

"We are present but it does not mean that we should not beryllium their voice, oregon we indispensable not respect them.

"Whatever we person is from them. We person to fight, we person to execute the champion we tin and people goals, and contiguous the brave radical of Iran with the results.

"And I anticipation that the conditions alteration to the expectations of the people."

The build-up to the tourney had seen calls for Iran to beryllium kicked retired of the World Cup, with campaigners citing the country's alleged military backing for Russia's penetration of Ukraine and quality rights issues including its treatment of women.

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