Iran's football community has issued a stark warning to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, calling on him to condemn the killings and arrests of players and coaches in Iran. A group of 20 prominent Iranians with links to football have signed an open letter to Infantino and other national associations, saying that football cannot remain silent in the face of executions, killings, and arbitrary arrests.
The letter cites the case of Mojtaba Tarshiz, a former top-division player who had two young children, whose family's home was seized by security forces. Another victim listed is Saba Rashtian, a women's football assistant referee. The letter claims that Iranian authorities have used systematic repression and mass killings to quash the protests, with thousands killed, many more arrested, and several prominent athletes facing execution.
The group of signatories includes Ali Karimi, who played 127 times for Iran and has become one of the most prominent sporting voices supporting the country's protest movement. In 2022, he accused authorities of trying to kidnap him and claimed his family had been threatened after publicly backing anti-government protests. Karimi said Iranians have paid "heavy prices" for their lives and freedom over decades.
The letter demands that FIFA and national associations publicly condemn the actions, halt them immediately, protect Iranian football figures, and affirm peaceful protest and personal opinion as fundamental human rights. The group argues that silence amounts to abandoning the principles of global football, which claim to defend these values.
At least 22 athletes from other sports have been killed for participating in protests, with mass killings often given widespread coverage in state-run media. Iranian authorities are using CCTV footage to compile evidence against protesters, and the deaths of prominent athletes are used to create fear among the population.
The letter's signatories say all they try to do is create fear, implying that security forces will use violence to silence dissent. The group's message is clear: football has a moral obligation to speak out against human rights abuses in Iran.
The letter cites the case of Mojtaba Tarshiz, a former top-division player who had two young children, whose family's home was seized by security forces. Another victim listed is Saba Rashtian, a women's football assistant referee. The letter claims that Iranian authorities have used systematic repression and mass killings to quash the protests, with thousands killed, many more arrested, and several prominent athletes facing execution.
The group of signatories includes Ali Karimi, who played 127 times for Iran and has become one of the most prominent sporting voices supporting the country's protest movement. In 2022, he accused authorities of trying to kidnap him and claimed his family had been threatened after publicly backing anti-government protests. Karimi said Iranians have paid "heavy prices" for their lives and freedom over decades.
The letter demands that FIFA and national associations publicly condemn the actions, halt them immediately, protect Iranian football figures, and affirm peaceful protest and personal opinion as fundamental human rights. The group argues that silence amounts to abandoning the principles of global football, which claim to defend these values.
At least 22 athletes from other sports have been killed for participating in protests, with mass killings often given widespread coverage in state-run media. Iranian authorities are using CCTV footage to compile evidence against protesters, and the deaths of prominent athletes are used to create fear among the population.
The letter's signatories say all they try to do is create fear, implying that security forces will use violence to silence dissent. The group's message is clear: football has a moral obligation to speak out against human rights abuses in Iran.
and it got me thinking what if we applied that same cleverness to solving global problems like human rights abuses in iran? maybe we can come up with some innovative solutions that don't involve shouting from the rooftops? anyway back to football - have you guys noticed how many retired athletes are getting involved in politics now? like they're using their platforms for good and it's amazing 
FIFA needs to step up and show some serious solidarity with the Iranian people 
. I mean, 20 prominent Iranians, including former players like Ali Karimi, are speaking out and FIFA is just sitting there? 
It's like they're saying "oh, we don't want any controversy" when really it's about human rights and protecting lives.
It's not like they're asking for special treatment, they're just demanding to be treated humanely.
The letter is clear: football has a moral obligation to speak out, so let's hear it loud and clear from FIFA! 
.
. I mean, think about it, if FIFA starts condemning everything Iran does, that just creates more problems. We need to find a balance and support our athletes while also respecting the laws of the land.
. It's like they're using football as a tool for control, which is super concerning. But let's not forget we're talking about human lives here, not just sports 
.
. It's a slippery slope if we don't address this stuff head-on. I guess what I'm saying is, let's not jump to conclusions or start a debate that might escalate things 
.
... FIFA's been all about the Benjamins, but now they're being asked to take a stand against brutal repression. It's like, we know they've got their priorities straight with the World Cup and all that jazz, but come on, human rights are pretty fundamental too 
. I'm not sure what's more disturbing - the fact that these athletes and coaches are getting killed for speaking out or that FIFA is going to just sit there and do nothing about it 
I'm sick of these powerful ppl saying they're above all that. Innocent people are dyin' & bein' silenced because of their sport... it's bloody despicable! And what's with this CCTV footage stuff? That's just creepy 
. The Iranian authorities are using CCTV footage to catch protesters? That's like, totally not cool 
. They need to protect their athletes, it's not just a game anymore 
.
. It's like, we're talking about something as innocent as sports, but it's being used to silence people and crush their spirits 
. The letter from the Iranian football community is a cry for help, a plea to be heard by the world 
. It's not just about condemning the killings and arrests, it's about standing up for human rights and freedom of expression 
. Is it because we don't want to rock the boat or get involved in something that might be complicated? 
Newsflash: being silent is not an option when human lives are at stake 
.
.
. We may not be able to change the world overnight, but every voice counts, and every action matters 
.
, especially considering the role football has played in spreading awareness and giving voice to the people. We cant just sit back and watch innocent lives being lost for speaking out 
, it's time for football to take responsibility and make some noise!
. These 20 people who signed the letter are basically saying that football has to take a stand, or else it's just complicit in all this human rights nonsense 
.
. It's not like football is just a game, you know? The players are human beings, and they deserve our support. FIFA needs to get its act together and do some real activism here 
.
he's like the ultimate hero for standing up against the government and risking his life for what he believes in. 
. FIFA needs to do more than just issue a statement, they need to take concrete action to condemn these human rights abuses and protect the athletes involved 
