The protest movement in Iran is not backing down. She longs too much for freedom – and has prominent supporters. Many athletes show their solidarity and give the opponents of the Islamic system of rule weight. Because they are idols and even opinion leaders.
When Shoan Vaisi thinks of his home country of Iran, he also thinks of teammates who are in prison. To athletes who have been massively threatened by the vice squad since the protests began. And to the courageous among them who “expect the maximum penalty” and are still part of the movement. “When I see athletes who express themselves critically, my heart soars. Athletes can make a difference, their voice counts,” said the former wrestler. Vaisi was part of the Iranian national team until he fled to Germany in 2011.
Since the death of the Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini, thousands have protested against the government’s repressive course and the Islamic system of rule. The morality police arrested the 22-year-old for allegedly violating dress codes. Amini died in police custody on September 16. Anger and longing for change are driving people onto the streets.
Among them many athletes. Their solidarity is “unprecedented,” said political scientist Ali Fathollah-Nejad. It is the courage of his former colleagues that gives Vaisi hope. “You played for Iranian teams for years, made Iranian families happy for years.” Today’s left-wing politician believes that athletes can become “pioneers of the revolution”: “Together with the youth, they are something like leaders of the opposition”.
Athletes are held in extremely high regard in Iran. Millions of followers on social networks turn footballers or martial artists into opinion leaders. Her influence on the young generation is huge. According to statistics, every third Iranian is younger than 24. For comparison: in Germany it is around 22 percent.
The political leadership is aware of the importance of athletes within Iranian society – and uses every means possible to suppress critical voices. “Of course, the high-ranking functionaries of the associations are people who are not there by accident. The criterion for posts like this is not qualifications, but loyalty to the regime, as with similar positions,” said Fathollah-Nejad.
The experts are not surprised that national players are reluctant to criticize ahead of the World Cup. The fear of being dropped from the squad is great. “There are no limits. Family members are put under pressure or threatened with the confiscation of property. Of course, athletes’ careers are also threatened, including criminal sanctions,” said Fathollah-Nejad.
The World Cup is an absolute highlight for the sport-crazy country. Even the qualification was celebrated like a title. The Iranians have been looking forward to the group games against England, Wales and Qatar for months. Now the protests are eclipsing football, and many are calling for their popular “Team Melli” to be banned in a bid to punish the Islamic Republic. “How are you supposed to think about football when our people are suffering so much?” asked ex-international and coach of popular club Persepolis Tehran, Jahia Golmohammadi.
Others see the international attention during the World Cup as an opportunity. “Because players are on the world stage and can also show solidarity there. That could encourage the protesters even more than if Iran is disqualified,” said Fathollah-Nejad.
Vaisi knows from personal experience that sport in Iran is thoroughly politicized. “Government officials and clergy accompanied us on the courses. We were forced to pray. We were told how to behave,” recalled the 32-year-old. He can understand that active athletes hold back with criticism. “For many, professional sport is the only way out of poverty. And those who criticize no longer have a sporting perspective,” said Vaisi.
Many former football stars, including three former Bundesliga professionals, have spoken out publicly – and accepted the consequences. Former Bayern player Ali Karimi is threatened with arrest because of his criticism of the system. The passport of the Iranian honorary captain Ali Daei is said to have been taken away. Former HSV professional Mehdi Mahdavikia also criticized Iran’s leadership and resigned as head coach of the Iranian U-21 national team.
They have all become national heroes. Like climber Elnaz Rekabi, who competed in the final of the Asian Championships in South Korea without the headscarf that is obligatory for Iranian athletes. Overnight she became the figurehead of the women’s movement.
Before fleeing, Vaisi had also campaigned for a more open, free Iran. “I was politically active underground. At some point my friends were arrested and I quickly fled.” When will he see his parents and siblings who still live in Iran? He doesn’t know. “I can’t go back. Otherwise I’ll be arrested and, in the worst case, executed.” But he doesn’t want to give up – just like many courageous people who are fighting for their freedom in Iran.
