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Page last updated at 16:00 GMT, Wednesday, 17 June 2009 17:00 UK

Iran players don protest colours

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Footage of the Iranian team members wearing the wristbands

Six members of the Iranian football team have worn green armbands during a World Cup qualifying match against South Korea in Seoul.

The players wore the colour adopted by the opposition presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi in an apparent show of support.

He challenging the presidential election last week, in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected.

Most of the players had removed the bands in the second half.

Protesters in Iran who accuse the government of widespread fraud have been wearing similar green wristbands.

The team's captain, Mehdi Mahdavikia, was the only one of the players to keep his armband on after half time.

It was suggested the other players had been ordered by the coach to remove their bands.

Protest chants

Fans from Iran staged a protest outside the stadium to show their support for the demonstrations at home.

One of their banners read "Go to hell dictator", and they chanted, "Compatriots, we will be with you to the end with the same heart".

During the match they held up green paper signs reading "Where is my vote?" and waved Iranian national flags emblazoned with the plea, "Free Iran".

Presidential incumbent Mr Ahmadinejad was re-elected last week with almost two-thirds of votes. The opposition allege widespread fraud.

Protests have grown since his re-election was confirmed on Saturday, with huge demonstrations in Tehran and clashes between protesters and security forces.

The game in Seoul ended in a 1-1 draw.



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