Iranian footballer sentenced to death for promoting women’s rights

Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani is facing the death penalty for promoting women’s rights protests in the country.

The international players’ union (FIFPro) has confirmed the news and appealed to the Iranian authorities to change their minds.

“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,” the FIFPro statement read.

“We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment.”

The 26-year-old, who most recently played for Tractor in the Persian Gulf Pro League, has been accused of ‘moharebeh’, or ‘animosity with God’, according to IranWire.

The same media outlet reports that the player’s family have been threatened repeatedly by the Iranian authorities.

Only one of Iran’s World Cup squad has publicly and unequivocally condemned the executions and death penalties currently being handed out in the country.

Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand asked on Instagram for the sentences to be revoked.

Anti-government protests have been widespread in Iran since the death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini, who was allegedly detained for failing to adhere to the country’s dress code for women.

IranWire suggest that the Iranian government may be trying to frame Nasr-Azdani for the death of Colonel Esmaeil Cheraghi and two members of Basij, the government militia, during protests on 17 November.

It has been reported that the footballer’s part in the protests was limited to chanting and he was not near the place where the deaths happened.