Iran Soccer Players Could Face Arrests, Beatings Upon World Cup Return, Experts Say

Multiple experts fear for the safety of the Iranian soccer team following their loss to the U.S. in the World Cup.

The NY Post reported this week that Kenneth R. Timmerman, a political author and an expert in Iran, said that after the team's initial protest of its country's national anthem, players could now face reprisals.

Timmerman would be afraid of being arrested. They would have been arrested and warned not to do it again even if they had won.

Mike Baker is a former CIA covert operations officer.

There is no reason to believe that the Iranian regime will suddenly become rational.

Iran did not sing along to its national anthem in order to show support for the protesters in its country.

The players sang to the tune after the protest ceded. The players sang before their loss to the U.S. on Tuesday, amid reports that their families could face violence and torture.

The initial protest and the loss to the Americans could lead to fines or even arrest.

He said that neither is good if you're an Iranian player.

Middle East Institute's Fatemeh Aman told the Post that the team could be spared.

Iran beat Wales but lost to England and the U.S. in the World Cup.