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Iran media blames 6-2 defeat on protests and psychological warfare
Teams line up prior the World Cup group B soccer match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022.
THE Iranian media have sought to blame Monday’s 6-2 World Cup loss to a rampant England side on the unrest that has gripped the Islamic Republic since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country’s so-called morality police in September.
Iranian newspapers accused foreign enemies of stirring up protests to throw the national team off its game.
“Iran – 2: England, Israel, Saudi and traitors – 6,” read the headline in daily Kayhan. The newspaper, whose editor-in-chief is appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran’s rout came after “weeks of unfair and unprecedented psychological warfare against the team ... from domestic and foreign-based traitors.” It added that a “political media current” has sought to “damage the spirit of Iran’s team by attacking them.”
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