Iran's footballers are in a precarious position as the regime brutally clamps down on protests, leaving them unable to express themselves freely. Mehdi Taremi, the Iranian striker playing for Olympiakos, recently scored a goal in Greece but was unable to celebrate due to the dire situation back home. The 33-year-old player expressed his solidarity with the Iranian people, stating that "the people are always with us, and that's why we are with them."
The current unrest in Iran is unprecedented since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The regime has responded with brutal force, including death, repression, and an internet blackout that has lasted for days. The situation has sparked widespread fear and worry among millions of people outside the country who have loved ones inside.
Football, which once occupied a central place in Iranian society, is now being used as a tool by the state to exert control. Players are being forced to choose between their loyalty to the team and their dissent against the regime. Ali Daei, a cultural icon, was banned from leaving the country after speaking out against the protests in 2022. Former national team defender Voria Ghafouri was detained for "spreading propaganda against Iran" during the last World Cup.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of resilience among Iranian footballers and fans. Ghafouri recently announced that he was closing his cafes in solidarity with the protesters. The former captain of Tehran Esteghlal reportedly warned that those who dared to speak out would face repercussions.
Carlos Queiroz, the head coach of the Iran national team, has emerged as a voice of reason and compassion. He has expressed concern for the safety and wellbeing of the Iranian people and has spoken about the importance of freedom and truth. In a recent social media post, he quoted the influential Tehran-born poet Ahmad Shamlou, saying "Freedom is breathing in an air where there is no lie."
The current unrest in Iran is unprecedented since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The regime has responded with brutal force, including death, repression, and an internet blackout that has lasted for days. The situation has sparked widespread fear and worry among millions of people outside the country who have loved ones inside.
Football, which once occupied a central place in Iranian society, is now being used as a tool by the state to exert control. Players are being forced to choose between their loyalty to the team and their dissent against the regime. Ali Daei, a cultural icon, was banned from leaving the country after speaking out against the protests in 2022. Former national team defender Voria Ghafouri was detained for "spreading propaganda against Iran" during the last World Cup.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of resilience among Iranian footballers and fans. Ghafouri recently announced that he was closing his cafes in solidarity with the protesters. The former captain of Tehran Esteghlal reportedly warned that those who dared to speak out would face repercussions.
Carlos Queiroz, the head coach of the Iran national team, has emerged as a voice of reason and compassion. He has expressed concern for the safety and wellbeing of the Iranian people and has spoken about the importance of freedom and truth. In a recent social media post, he quoted the influential Tehran-born poet Ahmad Shamlou, saying "Freedom is breathing in an air where there is no lie."
, gotta feel for the players like Mehdi Taremi who wanna express themselves but can't because of the regime's harsh crackdown... it's like they're being forced to choose between their country and their conscience 
. and what's with all these internet blackouts? don't we live in the digital age now? 
on the other hand, gotta give props to Carlos Queiroz for speaking out against the regime and showing some compassion 
, it's not always easy to be a voice of reason when everyone around you is being silenced 
. hope things can turn around soon for the Iranian people... 
. It's crazy how the regime is using sports as a tool to suppress dissent and freedom of speech. Like, what even is the point of playing football if you can't celebrate wins without fear of reprisal? 
. It's not just about them, though - the Iranian people are suffering, and it's devastating to think that millions of people around the world are worried sick about loved ones back home 
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... like Carlos Queiroz speaking out against the regime and advocating for freedom and truth 
. And I love how players like Ghafouri are using their platforms to show solidarity with the protesters 
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... on one hand, it's super sad that Iranian footballers can't just express themselves freely... like, isn't sports supposed to be about having fun and bringing people together? But at the same time, I feel bad for those players who are being forced to choose between their loyalty to the team and speaking out against the regime. Like, shouldn't they have a say in what's going on in their country? 
On the other hand, I don't think anyone should be punished or silenced for speaking out against injustice. That's just basic human rights, you know?
... He's not afraid to express his concerns about the situation in Iran, even if it means going against the government. And I love how he quoted Ahmad Shamlou - "Freedom is breathing in an air where there is no lie" 
... it may seem small, but it shows that even little actions can make a big difference. And I hope more and more people will speak out against injustice in Iran 
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The footballers are literally caught between their love for the game and their love for their country. It's like they're forced to choose who's on their side, you know? And it's not just the players, the whole system is under pressure because of the protests. I'm getting really frustrated thinking about it... how can a team be expected to perform when everyone's heart isn't in it?! 
i mean, football is like a big part of iranian culture, so for the gov to be using it as a tool to control people is crazy 
can u imagine if the usa or europe did that? 
anyway, at least there's someone like carlos queiroz who's speaking up for freedom and stuff 
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. And Carlos Queiroz, oh man, he's a true leader 
. It's these small actions that can make a big difference 
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. On the other hand, I'm heartened to see some Iranian footballers taking a stand against the regime, like Ghafouri closing his cafes in solidarity with the protesters 
. His emphasis on freedom and truth is a welcome respite from the prevailing climate of fear and repression 
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The fact that Carlos Queiroz is standing up for what's right and quoting poetry about freedom is really inspiring... Ahmad Shamlou's quote "Freedom is breathing in an air where there is no lie" should be plastered on billboards around the world. 
The internet blackout and death threats are not cool at all... I'm glad there are still some players like Ghafouri who are using their platforms to show solidarity with the protesters. 
. And what really gets me is that these protests are happening in one of the most beautiful countries on earth, with such rich culture and history... it's heartbreaking to see all this suffering 
. We should be supporting the Iranian people, not just their footballers... we need to take a stand for what's right, you know?