Iran arrests popular football player amidst 2022 FIFA World Cup over ‘anti-state propaganda’ and support for women protests
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Former Esteghlal FC player Voria Ghafouri was detained on Thursday by Iranian officials on charges of spreading propaganda against the regime. Ghafouri has been outspoken about his support for protests being held in Iran and criticized the government’s crackdown on such protesters.
Iranian police arrested him on the suspicion of spreading ‘anti-state propaganda’ as reported by the news agency AFP. The prominent footballer support for anti-government protesters who have taken to the streets across the country in recent months after the death of a 22-year-old woman who was being held in custody for failing to “properly wear” an Islamic head scarf, or hijab.
This isn’t the first incident in which Ghafouri has been vocal against the Iranian government. As a result of his actions, Persian Gulf Pro League Esteghlal FC had no intention of renewing his contract who he captained beforehand. Many also suspect he wasn’t selected in the national squad to travel for the 2022 FIFA World Cup for this reason.
Iran players refuse to sing the national anthem at the 2022 FIFA World Cup before their clash against England
The second match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar raised a lot of eyebrows as the Iran national football made a huge statement by deciding not to sing their national anthem. The players made a massive assertion by protesting against their country’s human rights issues and stood against their unjust policies.
Iranian national sides of other sports have also refused to sing the national anthem at their respective events recently, and on a stage as big as the World Cup, footballers showed their support to protestors. Captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh said that the team had already discussed the issue but he didn’t confirm whether or if they have planned any such protest.
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Sujeeth Shetty
(766 Articles Published)