BAGHDAD (AP) — Iran’s nationwide soccer staff obtained a subdued welcome dwelling after its World Cup defeat in opposition to the USA, a match performed in opposition to the backdrop of ongoing anti-government protests in Iran. One Iranian man was shot lifeless celebrating the American victory. The gamers returned from Qatar late Wednesday, a day their 1-0 loss. Anti-government protesters, contemplating the staff a logo of the regime, had celebrated the loss in some Iranian cities with fireworks and cheers. One man was shot lifeless by Iranian safety forces in northwest Iran for honking his automotive horn in assist of the U.S. victory, the Oslo-based rights monitor Iran Human Rights reported on Thursday. Iran’s therapy of the gamers will seemingly be scrutinized as a result of they kept away from singing the nation’s nationwide anthem throughout their opening World Cup match. Many thought of the transfer a present of solidarity with the protests. The staff did sing the anthem in subsequent matches.The nationwide staff was obtained by a couple of dozen followers at Tehran’s worldwide airport late Wednesday, with individuals cheering and waving the Iranian flag.Regardless of the ostensible present of solidarity, the gamers additionally face criticism from anti-government protesters who’ve chided the staff for not being extra vocal concerning the regime’s brutal crackdown on demonstrations. A picture of gamers bowing within the presence of President Ebrahim Raisi earlier than setting off to the match was extensively criticized by activists on social media. Mehran Samak, 27, was shot lifeless after honking his automotive in assist of the U.S. win after Tuesday’s match within the metropolis of Bandar Anzali, in north west Iran. IHR reported, he was “shot within the head by state forces when he went out to have a good time the Islamic Republic’s loss.” Samak occurred to be a childhood good friend of Iranian midfielder Saeed Ezatollahi, who mourned his dying on his social media. However once more he obtained criticism from activists for not explictly stating Samak had been killed by regime forces. Iranian officers acknowledged however downplayed Iranians celebrating the U.S. win. Gen. Hossein Salami, chief of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, stated those that had celebrated have been doing so on “behalf of the enemies,” including “it isn’t essential to us.” His feedback appeared within the semi-official Tasnim information company. Abbas Salehi, former minister of Tradition and Islamic Steering and editor-in-chief of Ettelaat newspaper, appointed by the nation’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a tweet stated: “Iran’s defeat within the sport in opposition to America was bitter, however much more bitter was the happiness of some individuals.”Salehi added we “have 4 years to compensate for the primary, however we don’t have a lot time for the second.”Striker Sardar Azmoun advised reporters he was not happy along with his efficiency within the final match. It was the sixth time Iran has participated within the World Cup. Iran was eradicated from the match in Qatar following the loss to the U.S. on Tuesday, in a politically charged match that noticed the gamers scrambling to attain a aim within the final remaining minutes of the sport. The protests first erupted in September, following the dying of 22-year previous Mahsa Amini within the custody of Iran’s morality police within the capital, Tehran.The protests shortly morphed into essentially the most severe problem to Iran’s theocracy since its institution within the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian authorities have blamed overseas actors, mainly the U.S., for orchestrating the protest motion, however have offered no proof.