Members of the Iran national football team paid tribute to victims of a deadly school strike before their international friendly against Nigeria national football team, staging a symbolic protest during the pre-match ceremony.
Ahead of kick-off in Turkey, the players held pink and purple schoolbags and wore black armbands as their national anthem was played, in remembrance of more than 160 victims, many of them children, killed in the bombing of a school in southern Iran.
Officials said the gesture was a collective decision by the squad, aimed at expressing solidarity with those affected by the attack. A senior football federation figure noted that the players were deeply moved by the incident and wanted to publicly honour the victims.
The tribute comes amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, with investigations continuing into the circumstances surrounding the strike.
The match, part of preparations for upcoming international competitions, proceeded after the ceremony, but the players’ pre-game display underscored the emotional toll of the conflict beyond the pitch.
