Iranian soccer player Amir Nasr-Azadani was arrested in November as he has been accused of “waging war against God” and will be hanged publicly. He was arrested in relation to the killing of a police colonel and two volunteer military members.
It is said that Amir has been sentenced to death after protesting against the death of Mahsa Amini.
The 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in custody after being detained by morality police for breaking the country’s strict rules around head coverings.
Witnesses accused police officers of forcing her into a van by beating her. Following her death, a wave of protests erupted across Iran, repressing for more freedom. The Iranian regime is desperate to punish those who have campaigned for the protests and the most recent one is 26-year Amir Nasr-Azadani.
Iran conducted its first execution on December 8th in relation to the protests. One of the famous Iran soccer players Ali Daei has also been punished for closing the jewelry store and restaurant he owned for supporting the protests.
Mohsen Shekari, the protester was executed after being accused of wounding a member of the pro-regime military in September and blocking the street. He was forced to confess on a video, which showed him with bruising on his face.
Wrestler Majid Reza Rahnavard was publicly executed for participating in the marches of Mahsa Amini. He was publicly hanged and images of his lifeless body hanging from the gallows circulated on social media.
Nasr-Azad plays for the club named Tractor, in the Persian Gulf Pro League. Even before the first World Cup Match against England Iranian players silently protested by not singing the national anthem. The Iranian players had to sing the national anthem as they were threatened by the Iranian government to behave.
The international soccer players union, FIFPRO said in a statement that it was “shocked and sickened” by the news. And FIFPRO also stated that “We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment”.
65,000 soccer players are represented by FIFPRO throughout the world. Amir is one of 28 Iranians who have been part of the protests and have been sentenced to death for campaigning for women’s rights and basic freedom in his country.
The United States National Team of Men posted on their Twitter account about the standing of the groups they were in with Iran. The Islamic Republic emblem was removed for 24hrs, out of solidarity. USMNT’s Twitter account even removed the Islamic Republic emblem.
Read More: US Reporter Grant Wahl’s Death – Qatar FIFA World Cup
