DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Iran was reeling Tuesday from the humiliation of beginning the World Cup with a lopsided 6-2 loss in opposition to England in a match overshadowed by protests on and off the sector.Onerous-line Iranian media sought accountable the defeat on the unrest that has gripped the Islamic Republic because the Sept. 16 demise of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini within the custody of the nation’s morality police. Iranian newspapers turned to the acquainted tactic of accusing overseas enemies, together with the USA, Britain and Israel, of stirring up protests to throw the nationwide group off its recreation.“Iran – 2; England, Israel, Saudi and traitors – 6,” learn the headline in hard-line each day Kayhan. The newspaper, whose editor-in-chief is appointed by Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated Iran’s rout got here after “weeks of unfair and unprecedented psychological warfare in opposition to the group … from home and foreign-based traitors.” It added {that a} “political media present” has sought to “harm the spirit of Iran’s group by attacking them.”Iran followers within the stands on Monday chanted Amini’s title, held indicators and wore T-shirts with protest slogans and booed in the course of the nationwide anthem. Many followers appeared conflicted over whether or not to even help their nationwide group in opposition to the backdrop of safety forces’ violent crackdown on demonstrations. At the very least 419 individuals have been killed because the protests erupted, in accordance with the watchdog Human Rights Activists in Iran. As the sport unfolded on Monday, Iranian safety forces unleashed heavy gunfire in opposition to protesters in a Kurdish city within the nation’s west.One other hard-line each day, Vatanemrooz, reported that protesters in Iran celebrated their nation’s humiliating defeat within the streets, bursting into cheers in espresso outlets when England scored objectives and honking automobile horns with pleasure after the sport. Footage from central Tehran unfold on-line exhibiting motorcycle drivers honking and chanting “Six!” in reference England’s six objectives in opposition to Iran. Authorities shut down a espresso store within the northeastern metropolis of Mashhad for asserting it was rooting for England.“Not one of the gamers had been prepared in spirit,” wrote Iran’s pro-reform Shargh each day. The nationwide protest motion first targeted on Iran’s state-mandated hijab, or headband, for ladies, however quickly morphed into requires the downfall of Iran’s ruling Shiite clerics. Over the course of the demonstrations, filmmakers, actors, sports activities stars and different celebrities have been talking out publicly in opposition to the federal government.Iran’s nationwide group has come below monumental stress from protesters to indicate help within the run-up to soccer’s world championship. The gamers confronted a barrage of public criticism final week after assembly with President Ebrahim Raisi at a send-off ceremony, the place they had been silent on the difficulty of protests. Just a few gamers had been photographed bowing in respect to Raisi.“So that you went to the president, that was the very best alternative to ask him to not kill children and youngsters, on the very least!” distinguished Iranian actor Parviz Parastouei wrote on Instagram.Earlier than the kick-off in opposition to England, Iranian gamers didn’t sing their anthem, standing silently in an obvious act of solidarity. In the course of the match they didn’t rejoice the group’s two objectives.The gamers threat heavy backlash for making even the smallest gestures of protest. State-run IRNA information company has sought to advertise the group as a patriotic image and nationwide unifier amid the turmoil, describing the gamers as “troopers preventing to uplift their nation.”Some former soccer stars who’ve championed the protest motion have been arrested or charged in absentia. Moslem Moein, the top of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard’s Our on-line world Group, known as out 4 of probably the most vocal retired gamers, who reportedly refused invites to attend the World Cup as company of the federal government.“England’s forwards didn’t rating the objectives,” he wrote, including that Iran’s defeat was the work of the outspoken former gamers, who protested off the pitch.___