Sponsored

‘Traitor’ Iranian Athletes Arrive Home As Champ Publicly Executed

By No Comments
FIFA World Cup
Photo Credit: "Mario Götze GOL - The 2014 FIFA World Cup Final | 140713-9112-jikatu" by jikatu is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Iran’s women’s soccer players returned home under tense conditions as outrage grows over the execution of a teenage champion wrestler.

Video circulating on social media shows the players walking in formation through a border reception in Bazargan, flanked by lines of flag-waving supporters.

Each player wore a team tracksuit and hijab and was paired with a young girl as they moved through the staged welcome.

Their expressions appeared subdued, with several looking uneasy as music played and cameras recorded their arrival.

Additional footage from the night before shows crowds gathering in the border town to greet the team after they crossed back into Iran from Turkey.

The return follows a brief asylum saga that unfolded after several players declined to sing the national anthem during a recent women’s Asian Cup match.

Iranian state media labeled the athletes “wartime traitors,” intensifying pressure on the team.

Six players and one staff member initially sought asylum in Australia and were granted humanitarian visas.

Days later, five of them withdrew those claims and rejoined the team, amid concerns about potential consequences for relatives back home.

The group regrouped in Kuala Lumpur before traveling to Istanbul, then flew to eastern Turkey and crossed the border into Iran.

Iran’s soccer authorities signaled approval of their return, stating the players would “once again be embraced by their families and homeland.” Two players remain in Australia.

The tense homecoming unfolded against the backdrop of a high-profile execution that has drawn international condemnation.

Iran carried out a public hanging of 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi along with two other men accused of involvement in January protests.

Mohammadi, described as a rising star from Qom, was convicted of waging war against God.

Human rights advocates say the case relied on forced confessions and lacked basic legal protections.

“His execution was a blatant political murder, part of the Islamic Republic’s pattern of targeting athletes to crush dissent and terrorize society,” Iranian athlete and activist Nima Far said.

The three men were accused of killing two police officers during unrest earlier this year, according to state media.

International organizations dispute the process that led to their convictions.

Amnesty International said the defendants were denied adequate defense and forced to confess.

The group described the proceedings as “fast-tracked” and said they bore no resemblance to a meaningful trial.

Norway-based Iran Human Rights said the men were sentenced after an unfair process built on confessions obtained under torture.

🚨 VENEZUELAN DICTATOR NICOLAS MADURO IN U.S. CUSTODY 🚨 Do you AGREE Trump made America STRONG again??? ➡️➡️➡️ TAKE THE FREEDOM POLL NOW and stand with President Trump!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Legal monitor Dadban reported that the defendants lacked access to independent counsel and were deprived of the right to defend themselves.

Under those conditions, the use of capital punishment amounts to an “extrajudicial killing,” the group said.

Far compared the execution to the 2020 case of wrestler Navid Afkari, who was also put to death after protest-related charges.

He called for international sports bodies to take action against Iran.

“Iran must be banned from international competitions until it halts executions of protesters and athletes, releases those jailed in sham trials, and ends retaliation against competitors who speak out or defect,” Far said.

Human rights groups warn that hundreds more people arrested during January demonstrations could face similar charges.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that thousands of demonstrators were killed during the crackdown.

Concerns about athlete safety now extend beyond Iran’s borders as the national team prepares for the 2026 World Cup.

Iran’s soccer federation has urged FIFA to move its matches from the United States to Mexico.

Officials cited security concerns after comments from President Donald Trump about the team’s safety.

“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Iranian football president Mehdi Taj said.

“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”

Trump had said Iran would be allowed to compete but suggested playing in the United States could pose risks “for their own life and safety.”

Iran is scheduled to open the tournament in Los Angeles before additional matches in Seattle.

Relocating games would present logistical challenges and mark a rare shift in World Cup planning.

FIFA has not committed to any changes, stating it remains in contact with participating teams and expects matches to proceed as scheduled.

Mexico has indicated it would be open to hosting Iran’s games if necessary.

“We will be preparing for the World Cup. We will boycott the United States, but we will not boycott the World Cup,” Taj said.

Even with potential changes, complications could arise later in the tournament depending on how teams advance.

Even if Iran’s group matches are moved, a later knockout scenario could still send the team to the United States.

If Iran and the U.S. both finish second in their groups, they would meet at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 3.

Leave A Reply