FIFPRO ‘shocked and sickened’ by news that Iranian footballer has been sentenced to death
The world’s professional football association, FIFPRO, has said it is “shocked and sickened” by the news that Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani has been sentenced to death in connection with the protests that have taken place in Iran over the past three months. .
Nasr-Azadani was arrested in the city of Isfahan three days after the Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported on Nov. 17 that Colonel Esmaeil Cheraghi had been killed during nationwide protests.
His alleged actions are considered a capital offense in Iran, something the FIFPRO has asked for it to be withdrawn.
A statement read: “FIFPRO is shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani is being executed in Iran after campaigning for women’s rights and fundamental freedom in his country.
“We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for his sentence to be lifted immediately.”
FIFPRO is shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani is being executed in Iran after campaigning for women’s rights and fundamental freedom in his country. We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for his sentence to be lifted immediately. pic.twitter.com/vPuylCS2phDecember 12, 2022
News of Nasr-Azadani’s imminent execution comes after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died while in the custody of the Guidance Patrol, commonly referred to as the “morality police,” for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly.
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women are required by law to wear the hijab at all times.
However, since Amini’s death, Iranian women have publicly removed their hijabs in protest against the government, with powerful images of these women witnessed defying security forces across the country.
Nasr-Azadani has been playing professionally in Iran’s top flight since 2015. He mainly played under former Wales manager John Toshack at Tractor SC, but is currently under contract with FC Iranjavan Bushehr.
The Iran national football team played at the 2022 World Cup and was subsequently eliminated in the group stage. However, ahead of their opening game against England on Monday, November 21, the Iranian players refused to sing their national anthem in solidarity with protesters in their country.
However, they sang the national anthem in their matches against Wales and the US, after a politician said they could face reprisals because the country “will never allow anyone to insult our national anthem”.
#FIFPRO #shocked #sickened #news #Iranian #footballer #sentenced #death
