Football players from Iran who have secured a spot in this year’s World Cup finals are reportedly facing deliberate targeting and violence, sparking urgent calls for FIFA to intervene and halt further bloodshed. Concern is particularly high for two players currently detained in Iranian prisons, both facing the threat of execution.
Among them is 19-year-old striker Amir Ghaderzadeh from Sepahan Isfahan and 26-year-old Mohammed Hossein Hosseini, formerly associated with Persepolis but sidelined by authorities for participating in protests. These players have become symbols of a larger group of athletes falling victim to the harsh Iranian regime.
Zohreh Abdollahkhani, a research fellow specializing in sports and social sustainability at the University of South-Eastern Norway, emphasized the imminent risk these players face, highlighting the unprecedented level of brutality targeting young athletes. Abdollahkhani urged FIFA to take action, noting the silence from both FIFA and FIFPro on the matter.
The alarming trend extends beyond players to include officials, with instances like the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Saipa FC youth player Rebin Moradi in Tehran. Other casualties include Saba Rashtian, a women’s football assistant referee, and Mohammad Hajipour, a goalkeeper for Iran’s beach soccer team.
Omid Ravankhah, the U-23 team manager, faced repercussions for his outspokenness, with his whereabouts currently unknown after having his passport revoked upon returning to Iran. Former Iranian internationals, led by Ali Karimi, have spoken out against the government’s repression, urging FIFA to break their silence on the escalating violence targeting athletes.
In a joint letter to FIFA, these former players emphasized the influential role of football in society and the necessity for the sport to condemn executions, killings, arrests, and threats against athletes. The letter referenced anti-government protests in Iran last year, which resulted in significant casualties and a subsequent government crackdown.
While the Iranian authorities acknowledge a death toll of 3,117 from the protests, external sources suggest the actual figure could be significantly higher. The demonstrations initially sparked by economic grievances in Tehran quickly escalated nationwide, prompting a government-imposed internet blackout.
FIFA was contacted for comment on the escalating situation concerning Iranian football players and officials.
