The Iranian regime fears many things. And apparently, silent women in football uniforms are one of them.

You see, last week, during a match in the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, players from Iran’s national team stood quietly while their national anthem played. That quiet act of defiance may now cost them everything.

Because in the eyes of a dictatorship, even athletes become enemies the moment they show a spine.

For these women, football was supposed to be a game. Instead, it became an act of courage.