>The source said that they were told that their families would face “violence and and torture” if they did not sing the national anthem or if they joined any political protest against the Tehran regime.

...

>“There are a large number of Iranian security officers in Qatar collecting information and monitoring the players,” the source said.

Obviously, this is the best way to improve morale, foster a spirit of sportsmanship and give players the drive to win. /s

There will probably be a very different Iranian team next year unfortunately. I can just see the Iranian government cracking down on dissent worse than they are now.