Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani 'faces execution' after 'forced' TV confession

Local media say that Iranian football player Amir Nasr-Azadani could be put to death for his part in the nationwide protests in Iran that started when a woman died in September.

According to reports, the Iranian football player Amir Nasr-Azadani could be put to death for fighting for women's rights in his country.

Footballers' union FIFPRO, which represents 65,000 professional football players all over the world, tweeted on Monday night, December 12: "Reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani could be put to death in Iran because he fought for women's rights and basic freedom in his country have shocked and sickened FIFPRO.

"We stand with Amir and want his punishment to stop right away," they said. IranWire says that the Islamic Republic's court system wants to hang the 26-year-old football player for killing Colonel Esmaeil Cheraghi and two Basij members.

Iran is going through nationwide protests because Mahsa Amini, who was 22 years old, died in police custody in September. Police are said to have detained Amini, who is 22 years old, for breaking the strict rules about how to cover her head.


IranWire says that on November 20, Nasr-Azadani and two other accused people went on state TV and read a "forced" confession. IranWire also said that they knew Nasr-Azadani was at the protests. He used to play for teams in Iran called Rah-Ahan, Tractor, and Gol-e Rayhan.

It is said, though, that he was never near where Cheraghi and the two Basij members died. The source also said that all he did at the protests was shout slogans for a few hours.

The Iranian national team at the World Cup also made a protest by not singing the national anthem before their first game on November 21 against England.

Captain Ehsan Hajsafi had said before the match: "We have to admit that things are not right in our country and that our people are unhappy. We're here, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't listen to us or that we shouldn't respect them.

"They gave us everything we have. We have to go to war. We need to play well and score some goals so that we can show the brave people of Iran that we have done something. I hope things change so that people can get what they want."