Made In Chelsea star Mark-Francis Vandell has urged England fans to support Iranian women during the World Cup. 

The reality TV star joined a group of 22 Iranian women who were playing football in Westminster on Saturday. 

They were protesting human rights abuses in both Iran and the World Cup host country before the international tournament kicks off on Sunday.

The campaigners were seen wearing football kits and powerful t-shirts which featured the slogan: “Woman, Life, Freedom”. 

East London Advertiser: British-Iranian women protest on College Green in Westminster, London against the Iran regime in advance of the England v Iran World Cup match in Qatar on Monday (PA)British-Iranian women protest on College Green in Westminster, London against the Iran regime in advance of the England v Iran World Cup match in Qatar on Monday (PA) (Image: PA)

Before taking photos with the protesters, Mr Vandelli spoke to the press where he called on football fans to blow their whistles for one minute in a gesture of solidarity for the woman in Iran.

Made In Chelsea star urges England fans to blow whistles in support for Iranian women

Speaking to the PA news agency: “We are all here in solidarity for the women in Iran.

"We ask that everybody can blow a whistle for one minute before every Iran match.”

Some of the protesters carried an Iranian flag and blew whistles on the College Green.

Others chanted 'Mahsa Amini' as they paid tribute to the woman who died in custody after she was detained for allegedly failing to follow the country’s Islamic dress code.

It comes as a protester and lawyer Leila Mansouri called on England’s football team to raise awareness of the situation ahead of their opening match against Iran on Monday, November 21.

Ms Mansouri added: “We are counting on the England team to raise awareness, even if it’s just a simple act of cutting their hair.”

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The women then gathered around as protester Shirley Elghanian called on the public to blow their whistles for one minute at the start of each of Iran’s three group stage matches.

“We would like to ask you, in solidarity with those who are on the streets in Iran, please can you blow your whistles for one minute at the start of each of (Iran’s) three matches,” she said.

Ms Elghanian then symbolically held up her hair and cut off a chunk with scissors while the other protesters cheered.

This gesture has become a well-known symbol of the women’s rights movement in Iran.