A prominent Iranian soccer player was arrested Thursday on charges that included destroying the reputation of the country’s national team, which is competing in the World Cup, state-linked Iranian media outlets reported Thursday.
The player, Voria Ghafouri, is a former member of Iran’s national squad and a frequent critic of the government. His arrest occurred at a moment in which Iranian soccer players are under close scrutiny for their statements about a nationwide uprising in Iran that has continued for months.
Iran’s national team, during a match against England on Monday, declined to sing during the playing of the country’s national anthem, in what was widely seen as a silent acknowledgment of the protests. Iran’s national broadcaster showed select images of spectators cheering for Iran during the match but not the political signs carried by some.Protest in Iran began in September after a young Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, died in police custody.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Iran Soccer Star Voria Ghafouri Detained After Criticizing RegimeVoria Ghafouri, who has been outspoken about the regime, was detained for “insulting the national soccer team and propagandizing against the government.”
Read more »
Iran arrests soccer player over government criticismIranian state-linked media says Voria Ghafouri, a former member of the national soccer team, has been arrested over criticism of the government amid nationwide protests. It comes on the eve of Iran's second World Cup game in Qatar against Wales.
Read more »
Iranian soccer player arrested amid World Cup scrutinyIran arrested Voria Ghafouri, a prominent former member of its national soccer team, over his criticism of the government as authorities grapple with nationwide protests.
Read more »
Iran Claims 'Psychological Warfare' by Protesters Caused Embarrassing World Cup LossPro-regime publications in Iran excused the poor performance of its soccer team in its FIFA World Cup debut with multiple articles on Tuesday blaming the anti-Islamist protest movement.
Read more »