The Iran men’s national team wore black armbands and held schoolbags as their national anthem played before a match with Nigeria as a protest against the deadly strike on a primary school on the first day of the Iran war.
The attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh school last month killed at least 168 people, including about 110 children, Iranian officials have said.
US media have reported that American military investigators believe their own forces were likely responsible for hitting the school in Minab in southern Iran unintentionally.
The UN’s human rights chief has urged the US to conclude its investigation and publish its findings into the attack.
Before kick-off in their friendly fixture against Nigeria in the Turkish resort town of Belek, the Iran players, including former FC Porto and Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi, were seen holding pink and purple bags with ribbons on them.
“The players are holding the school bags close to their heart in remembrance of the 165 girls the Americans killed in an Iranian school.”
