Sport

Iranwire – All layers of Iranian society have been affected by the heavy-handed crackdown unleashed by the authorities on the nationwide protest movement that kicked off more than 12 weeks ago. The security forces have killed hundreds of people and detained thousands, while the judicial system handed heavy sentences to those taking to the streets to demand more freedoms and …

Iranwire – Amir Nasr-Azadani, a former player for the Rah-Ahan, Tractor, and Gol-e Rayhan football teams, is in danger of execution. The Islamic Republic’s judicial system is planning to hang him for a crime it calls “moharebeh”. Except for players from the national football team who participated in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, flying the Islamic Republic’s flag, many current …

Iranwire – With the uprising of the Iranian people triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in custody of morality police well into its 11th week, Iranian security forces continue to use everything at their disposal to savagely suppress the protests. In two previous special reports, we took close look at the equipment used to suppress the demonstrations and at the individuals and …

Iranwire – Iranian rock climber Elnaz Rekabi made the headlines in October after she appeared at an international competition in South Korea without a hijab, a move seen by many as a gesture of support for the anti-government protests that have swept Iran for weeks. The 33-year-old Elnaz is remanded under house arrest. She has apologized for violating Iran’s mandatory …

Iranwire – Iran’s Football Federation has sacked four members of the national beach football team who had expressed support for protests that have swept the country for 2 ½ months.  Saeed Piramoon, Mohammad Ahmadzadeh, Moslim Mesigar and Mustafa Kiani have not been invited to the team’s latest training camp, in yet another example of the Iranian government’s interference in sports. …

RFL/RE – FIFA has given permission for the display of banners supporting protests in Iran and rainbow items at the World Cup soccer tournament in Qatar — but only after the Middle Eastern country was eliminated from the competition. Since the start of the World Cup on November 20, stadium security staff organized by Qatari authorities had confiscated items with …

Iranwire – Reports from Doha say pro-regime Iranian fans attacked anti-government supporters inside and outside the stadium where Iran and the United States faced off in a World Cup match charged with emotion. Some fans wearing T-shirts with “Women, Life, Freedom” written on them as a message for support for the ongoing demonstrations at home were allegedly beaten up at …

VOA – The Iranian men’s football team takes on the United States in a pivotal World Cup match Tuesday, with Iran’s players facing conflicting pressures on their behavior from their government and from Iranians supporting a nationwide protest movement. The Iranian and U.S. teams enter their final first round match with the U.S. needing a win to advance to round …

When Iran’s football team met England at their first match of this World Cup the Iranian players refused to sing the national anthem in support of the ongoing anti-regime protests back home. This act of solidarity and political courage should not be taken lightly since actions like these are met with fierce repercussions against the players themselves or their families …

Iranwire – The U.S. football federation has temporarily displayed the Iranian national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, in a show of show solidarity with protesters in Iran. The move came before the United States faces Iran on November 29 in a World Cup match amid decades of enmity between the countries and a nationwide …