The protests in Iran, which have been going on for more than two weeks, have now also affected the country’s national football league.
The games of the two top teams Persepolis and Esteghlal Tehran took place without spectators at the weekend to avoid further protests in the stadiums. That affected the players too. “The players simply can’t concentrate on football anymore because the situation in the country isn’t normal anymore either,” said Persepolis coach Jahja Golmohammadi.
At the Asadi Stadium in Tehran, nine of his players wore black armbands to show solidarity with the demonstrators. That’s why they were praised by the coach and the fans despite the 1-0 defeat by Tabriz.
Even footballers among the critics
The trigger for the ongoing protests in Iran is the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody. Critics accuse the vice squad of using violence, which the police vehemently deny. Since then, thousands of people across the country have been demonstrating against the Islamic system. Numerous footballers are also among the critics, including former Bundesliga pros Ali Karimi and Ali Daei and Bayer Leverkusen striker Sardar Azmoun.
This is not without risk, said former Iranian wrestler Shoan Vaisi on Deutschlandfunk: “Anyone who criticizes the regime in Iran or shows solidarity with the demonstrators can expect to be arrested.” In connection with this, former national soccer player Hossein Mahini was arrested and imprisoned last week. Since then, other players are said to have been arrested.