He played 126 times for Iran and is one of the country’s great football icons. Since the beginning of the nationwide demonstrations, Ali Karimi has backed the protests against the mullahs’ regime and police violence. He is now threatened with severe consequences.
Ali Karimi was always responsible for the offensive on the pitch. As a midfielder, the Iranian caused unrest in opposing back teams. For example for FC Bayern (2005 – 2007), also a season for FC Schalke (2011) and for the Iranian national team anyway (including at the 2006 World Cup in Germany). The performances made Karimi a star at home – and he still is today. And these days he’s back on the offensive. He’s in the middle of – it’s no exaggeration to say this – one of his most important fights. It’s about defending something far bigger than football. The women’s protest movement in Iran.
A state of emergency has been in force in the country on the Persian Gulf for days. Triggered by the violent death of 22-year-old Masha Amini, demonstrators repeatedly took to the streets. They denounce the assault on the young woman, the police violence, and the blunt state tyranny. The pent-up resentment breaks out. Not only in the capital, but everywhere in the country – in all social classes. Amini was arrested on September 13th. Apparently because she is said not to have worn the headscarf in accordance with the regulations. After the police operation, she collapsed and died three days later in hospital. Nothing more is known. The police denied their own violence.
a death. A story. A destiny. But one that elicited a reaction. A spark in the powder keg. Since then, women in particular have been protesting all over the country. The motto: You’ve had enough. It can not go on like this. And the state? As is so often the case, he hits back with violence.
Karimi doesn’t leave the pictures cold either. The 43-year-old has been living in Iran again for years. His message on his Twitter and Instagram accounts is clear: support for the people on the street. For the women of his country. He keeps sending messages out into the world on Twitter (“Don’t be afraid of strong women. Maybe the day will come when they will be your only army”). Addressing the Iranian army, he wrote: “Don’t let the innocent Blood will be spilled.” He sometimes posts instructions to the people of Iran on how to circumvent the Internet blockades that have been imposed in some cases.
The ex-footballer’s statements are received by hundreds of thousands, even millions. Karimi has influence. But of course the state also reads along. Karimi comes into focus. ARD journalist Natalie Amiri reports on Twitter that Iranian authorities have confiscated the football star’s house. A photo should show the blocked front door. Karimi meaningfully wrote on Twitter: “A house without land is worthless”, accompanied by three hearts in the national colors of Iran. According to media reports, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has been pushing for the arrest of the sports hero for days. But he is still a free man. As free as one can be in a non-free system.
In addition to ex-professional Karimi, active players have also spoken out with protest notes. For example, Sardar Azmoun from Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen demonstratively supported the protest movement in his home country. His words are a frontal attack on those in power. “Be ashamed of how carelessly people are murdered. Iranian women live long,” Azmoun wrote in his now-deleted post two days after Iran’s 1-0 international win against Uruguay in Austria last Friday. Because of the rules of the national team, he’s not allowed to say anything, he wrote, but he “can’t take it any longer.” If they kicked him out of the team, it would be “a small sacrifice compared to every single strand of hair on an Iranian woman”.
The victims are already devastating, the outcome of the protests brutal. The non-governmental organization “Iran Human Rights” reports that at least 76 people have been killed during the protests. In addition, there were countless arrests and massive threats against the demonstrators. The majority of the people in Iran, however, will not be deterred from continuing to act out their displeasure on the streets.
While Karimi may lose his house and even be arrested, Leverkusen professional Azmoun could possibly miss the World Cup in Qatar. After his initial criticism, however, he was still included in the squad for the friendly against Uruguay. He was also allowed to play against Senegal on Tuesday – he even scored after being substituted on. Regime critics protested in front of the stadium. Meanwhile, protests in Iran continue. An end is not in sight for the time being.
