BBC:

Many Iranians are boycotting the World Cup as they feel the team has not done enough to support the protest movement or criticise a regime which has killed hundreds of people. But a group of expat fans are trying to keep the protest flame alive inside Qatar's stadiums.

"I'm happy I'm here and that I'm doing this because I could see the fear in their eyes," says Tara, a young Iranian woman and football enthusiast.

She tells me the World Cup stadiums are heavy with government supporters for Iran's matches.

Tara is not her real name. Everyone I spoke to would only agree to an interview if they could keep their identities secret.

Amir travelled to Doha with his partner Rana.

"I thought this is what the government wants, for us not to come here so they could only have their own people [in the stadiums]," he says.

"This was supposed to be our honeymoon," says Rana.

But attending the matches in Doha has brought up conflicting emotions for her.

"I literally feel like I'm in mourning. My brothers and sisters have died. Even though I'm excited to be here and I'm enjoying the game, I'm not happy," she says.

'They turned the team against us'
Iran has been convulsed by anti-government protests since September when a young 22-year-old woman called Mahsa Amini died in police custody.

People are torn over whether the Iranian football team is with the protesters or the government.

The football team - nicknamed Team Melli, meaning national team - met President Ebrahim Raisi just before they travelled to Doha.

Photos of the meeting spread across social media platforms leading many opponents of the Islamic Republic to criticise the team and call for a boycott.

"Team Melli was for the people. The people who had no voice," says Tara. "Team Melli was the only thing that would unite us… and they turned Team Melli against us."

Everyone was on edge at the start of the first match.

"I wanted Iran to win but I also didn't feel right," says Rana.

But seeing people wearing t-shirts and wearing nail polish that reads 'women, life, freedom' in both Persian and English gave the protesters a boost.

"It was like a secret but not so secret club," says Rana. "We cheered each other on."

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