The Brazilian football team has arrived in Australia for the Women’s World Cup with a strong statement on human rights.
The squad landed in Brisbane on Wednesday morning on a plane bearing the pictures of Iranians Mahsa Amini and Amir Nasr Azadani on the tail.
On the body of the plane were the words: “No woman should be forced to cover her head” and “No man should be hanged for saying this”.
Chegaram com estilo! Confira como foi o momento da chegada da #SeleçãoFeminina em solo australiano… Vamos nessa! 🇧🇷 #PelaPrimeiraEstrela
— Seleção Feminina de Futebol (@SelecaoFeminina) July 4, 2023
📹 CBF TV pic.twitter.com/6pa0nBPjl7
Amini’s death in custody after being detained by Iran’s “morality police” in September last year sparked widespread protests across the country and ignited further resistance to the regime’s treatment of women.
Azadani, a former football player, was arrested during the protests and later sentenced to 26 years in prison.
Brazil’s statement comes after Fifa confirmed players would not be allowed to wear rainbow or OneLove armbands in support of LGBTQ+ rights, instead revealing eight sanctioned alternatives for teams to choose from.
Before the team took off from Brasília on Monday their superstar Marta confirmed this tournament would be her last World Cup.
“We have to understand that a time comes for us to prioritise other things,” she said. “Having the chance of going to another World Cup, my sixth, is surreal to me.”
Under Swedish coach Pia Sundhage, Brazil will be hoping to make it as far as they can for Marta, and give her the opportunity to become the first player to score in six World Cups.
Brazil are in Group F and will play Panama in their opening game at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide on 24 July.
