Former Iranian football star Ali Karimi has urged FIFA to take a stand against the violent crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran, which have now entered their eighth week. Karimi, a vocal supporter of the demonstrations, joins other opposition figures in calling for international condemnation of the regime's actions.
The protests, which began in mid-September, have been met with a bloody crackdown. According to rights groups, more than 300 people, including at least 41 children, have been killed. The Iranian government has also arrested 32 journalists and blocked social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, while internet shutdowns have been frequent.
Opposition figures such as Prince Reza Pahlavi and activist Masih Alinejad have called for further isolation of the Iranian regime, including expelling diplomats and banning the national football team from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, Karimi and other former players have not supported the ban, arguing the tournament could provide a global platform for protesters.
International human rights organizations have urged the UN Human Rights Council to hold an emergency session on Iran, but governmental bodies have so far only issued statements of concern. Activists say human rights are often deprioritized in foreign policy decisions.
