Former Bayern professional Ali Karimi has changed his place of residence again for fear of attacks.
“I received death threats from various places. That’s why I was forced to move even further away from Iran. So I had to move again,” said the 44-year-old, who previously lived in Dubai and joined via video at the theme evening “Woman , Life, Freedom – Iranian Athletes” in the German Football Museum. “It’s a terrible feeling to be in exile. My hope is that the woman-life-freedom revolution will be successful,” commented Karimi.
The former FC Bayern Munich and FC Schalke 04 professional had shown solidarity with the protest movement in his home country from the start. For this he received encouragement from many compatriots who took to the streets after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.
Ex-Bayern professional Karimi hopes for support for Iran
According to media reports, the domestic judiciary had brought charges against the 129-time national player. The judiciary had applied for criminal prosecution against him because of “solidarity with the enemy” and the accusation of inciting riots.
Karimi hopes that other footballers and athletes will join the protest movement: “National players in particular always have a place in the hearts of their country’s fans. If you look at this special platform, I think it’s the duty of every footballer to for social issues,” he said: “It is my wish that every athlete finds his place on the right side of history and is committed to the woman-life-freedom revolution.”
He has little interest in boycotting Iranian sport: “Every athlete should take part in major competitions like the Olympic Games. Because they offer the only opportunity to spread the voice of the Iranian people throughout the country.” Nevertheless, Karimi called on “the global and Olympic public” to “stop any activities by political or military forces in Iranian sport”.