Since the Iranian Revolution broke out in September, what began as angry protests over the assassination of Mahsa Amini has turned into a nationwide uprising in solidarity against the Islamic Republic.
With refinery contractors on strike, undermining the intrastate economy, a theocracy is nearing the brink of overthrow. The regime murdered hundreds of young protesters. He arrested thousands more. As a result, an outpouring of solidarity with Iran resonates throughout UEFA.
The solidarity of Hertha Berlin
Several players have loudly protested the retroactive theocracy that has suppressed the Iranians. For example, former Hertha Berlin striker Ali Daei expressed support for him. He called on the old regime to solve its socioeconomic problems. He argued that in the present he focused on repression, violence and arrests.
As a result, Iran questioned the two-time World Cup veteran after he returned to Tehran. In addition, the Islamic Republic confiscated his passport.
Hertha Berlin announcing their distress.
“Our former player Ali Daei is no longer allowed to leave the country (Iran) because he has spoken out for women’s rights.”
This statement ignited a furor among a loyal fan base. As a result, on matchday nine of the Bundesliga, Hertha fans unfurled banners at home against SC Freiberg. The fans showed their agreement, “Freedom for Ali Daei and all protesters in Iran.”
As a result, the Islamic Republic retracted and returned Daei’s passport earlier this week. However, the former holder of the record for ‘most goals of all time’ commented that he does not “understand why they confiscated” his passport, and “after this disrespect, what does the return of the passport mean legally?”
Solidarity with Iran spills across Europe
Earlier this week, the Swedish women’s national team showed their unanimity. During a match against France, midfielder Olivia Schough and forward Kosovare Asllani held up a T-shirt with the inscription “We play for our girls in Iran”. Sweden emerged victorious, defeating France 3-0.
In addition, the Dutch winger Jürgen Locadia offered his condolences. Tractor defeated Locadia club Persepolis on matchday eight of the Persian Gulf Pro League.
“Mahsa Amini, may your soul RIP. I wish I could have scored a goal for you, your family and all the Iranians in yesterday’s game.” Since matchday six, PGPL matches have been played in empty stadiums across Iran.
In addition, Hull City’s solidarity highlighted center forward Allahyar Sayyadmanesh. “Standing with Allahyar and the women of Iran.” The six-foot, 21-year-old phenom has made 16 EFL Championship appearances since he joined The Tigers.
Borussia Dortmund fans remembered Sarina Esmailzadeh, a 16-year-old vlogger killed by the Islamic Republic.
Finally, the legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon showed his .
“In this period, Iranian women are fighting too important a battle to be left alone,”
Iran’s appearance at the World Cup has a chance to impact political developments in the country.
Iran World Cup highlights against England, Wales and the USMNT
In a perfect world, the players represent the people, not the government. In Iran, it is the antithesis.
In the 2022 World Cup, many Iranian football fans unapologetically refuse to support Team Melli. The Islamic Republic owns 10 of the 16 teams in the AFC Persian Gulf Professional League. In addition, the Iranian soccer federation is controlled by military generals. As a result, many Team Melli fans were able to listen to the national anthem and see the regime flag as an exacerbation.
Widespread scrutiny points to Persepolis midfielder Mehdi Torabi as pro-Islamic Republic, blithely ignoring his nation’s turmoil with wry expressions. Torabi recently wanted to score a goal and offer the ball as a gift to the tyrannical ‘Supreme Leader’ of Iran. As a result, Iranian fans ridicule Team Melli at the World Cup. Therefore, it is up to the Iranian diaspora to reassess their perspective on Team Melli. In Iran, citizens are in crisis, staunchly opposed to the draconian regime that Torabi genuflects for, among other players on the list.
The Islamic Republic regime could intervene in the affairs of its federation, cracking down on players with ultimatums, as in 1998.
United States vs. Iran, Part I – 1998
During halftime between the US and Iran at France 1998, IRGC officials, designated terrorists, threatened the Iranian players with an ultimatum. Iranian players would not be allowed to return to their homeland if the United States defeated them. So perhaps Mehdi Mahdavikia’s momentum in the counterattack that collapsed past Kasey Keller was motivated more by a dogged determination to return to his family than to defeat the USMNT.
Unfortunately, football is far from apolitical. The camouflaged truth is the world’s interest in Iranian resources: crude oil and natural gas. For 43 years, Iranians succumbed to a radical theocracy that hijacked an anti-imperialist revolution.
The Iranians demand a secular government instilled with liberal values.
Now Iranian women have shown that dictators cannot tame lionesses. Not by a theocracy, monarchy or special interest oil cartels, racketeering entities that have repressed Iranians for nearly a century, preventing the people from gaining true independence.
PHOTOS: IMAGO / Kirchner-Media
