Iran footballer jailed for 26 years after 'execution' calls for role in protests

Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for his actions during protests sweeping the nation.

Hundreds of protestors have died in Tehran and other cities following the death in morality police custody of Mahsa Amini two months ago. The 22-year-old woman died in police custody after being arrested for not wearing her hijab correctly.

Saman Ghoddos, the only Iranian in the Premier League, recently told Mirror Football this month that it was right for players to speak up in support of those who are calling for change - regardless of potential repercussions.

Nasr-Azadani was sentenced to 26 years in prison for "partaking in enmity against God" for his role in the alleged murder of three members of the security forces and two other crimes committed during the protests. Reports from Iran suggest the footballer's confession was coerced amid concerns that members of his family were forced to stay silent.

Three others implicated in the murder of the three basijis - a paramilitary volunteer militia which forms part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran - in the city of Isfahan in mid-November have been sentenced to death and another to two years in prison.

A report in IranWire in December claimed Nasr-Azadani - and two other accused - appeared on state television on November 20, when they read a "forced" confession. The report alleged Nasr-Azadani, who also formerly played for Iranian sides Rah-Ahan and Gol-e Rayhan, was present at protests.

That report added that the Islamic Republic of Iran's judicial system was planning to hang the 26-year-old footballer for the death of Colonel Esmaeil Cheraghi and two members of Basij during protests on November 17. However, it is claimed Nasr-Azadani was not near the position where Cheraghi and the two Basij members died. Instead, it was claimed Nasr-Azadani's involvement in the protests was to have been limited to chanting slogans for a few hours.

It is also reported that Nasr-Azadani's lawyer and family have been instructed not to speak out in the hope that this could lead to a reduced sentence. Human rights organisations claim at least 488 people have been killed since protests began in September and 18,200 have been detained by government authorities.

Footballers' union FIFPRO released a statement last month to say: "FIFPRO is shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran after campaigning for women's rights and basic freedom in his country. We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment."

During the World Cup, former Iran international footballer Voria Ghafouri was arrested on the grounds of having "tarnished the reputation of the national team and spread propaganda against the state." That came one day before Iran played Wales, when their players did sing their national anthem.

That occurred whilst Iran's state-affiliated media called for FIFA to kick USA out of the World Cup during the group stage after they posted an altered image of the Iranian flag as a show of support for women's rights in Iran. The USMNT's Twitter account removed the Islamic Republic's "Allah" emblem and the "takbirs" from Iran's three-coloured flag.

Iran were allowed to play at the World Cup but players undertook their own protest by refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening clash with England on November 21. Players sung the national anthem in their following games after it was alleged their families back home would face prison or torture.

Carlos Queiroz's side crashed out of the tournament at the group stage, despite beating Wales, as they finished third in Group B.