Iran's footballers face a harsh reality as the Iranian regime brutally suppresses protests, plunging millions into darkness and silencing the very voices that have long been a symbol of defiance against authoritarian rule. Mehdi Taremi, a prominent Iranian striker, has become a cultural icon in his own right, with millions following his European career. However, even he was unable to celebrate his latest goal, as the regime's brutal response to protests has cut off all forms of communication.
The situation on the ground is dire, with widespread inflation and economic collapse sparking major anti-government protests across Iran. The regime's response has been brutal, with death and repression on the rise, while social media and messaging apps are inaccessible due to an internet blackout that has lasted for days. The impact is not limited to Iran, as millions of people outside the country worry about their loved ones trapped in the midst of this turmoil.
Football, a national pastime in Iran, has long been used by the regime as a tool for control, with players being told to delay celebrations after international success and some even donning green armbands to show support for opposition leaders. However, speaking out against the government is fraught with danger, with Ali Daei, a former national team defender, facing repercussions after backing protests in 2022.
The latest threat comes from former Tehran Esteghlal captain Voria Ghafouri, who announced that he was closing his cafes in solidarity with protesters. However, this may not be enough to silence the regime's threats against Iranian footballers like Taremi, who has long been an outspoken critic of the state of facilities back home. Despite once being seen as a supporter of the regime, it appears that Taremi has evolved into a vocal advocate for change.
As Carlos Queiroz, the former coach of Iran, takes to social media to express his support for the Iranian people, he echoes the words of influential poet Ahmad Shamlou: "Freedom is breathing in an air where there is no lie." With the internet blackout showing no signs of easing, it remains to be seen how long the voices of Iranian footballers like Taremi will remain silenced.
The situation on the ground is dire, with widespread inflation and economic collapse sparking major anti-government protests across Iran. The regime's response has been brutal, with death and repression on the rise, while social media and messaging apps are inaccessible due to an internet blackout that has lasted for days. The impact is not limited to Iran, as millions of people outside the country worry about their loved ones trapped in the midst of this turmoil.
Football, a national pastime in Iran, has long been used by the regime as a tool for control, with players being told to delay celebrations after international success and some even donning green armbands to show support for opposition leaders. However, speaking out against the government is fraught with danger, with Ali Daei, a former national team defender, facing repercussions after backing protests in 2022.
The latest threat comes from former Tehran Esteghlal captain Voria Ghafouri, who announced that he was closing his cafes in solidarity with protesters. However, this may not be enough to silence the regime's threats against Iranian footballers like Taremi, who has long been an outspoken critic of the state of facilities back home. Despite once being seen as a supporter of the regime, it appears that Taremi has evolved into a vocal advocate for change.
As Carlos Queiroz, the former coach of Iran, takes to social media to express his support for the Iranian people, he echoes the words of influential poet Ahmad Shamlou: "Freedom is breathing in an air where there is no lie." With the internet blackout showing no signs of easing, it remains to be seen how long the voices of Iranian footballers like Taremi will remain silenced.
The situation with Iran's footballers and protests is super intense right now... I mean, a guy just wants to celebrate his goal and then suddenly he's in danger because of what he believes in. Mehdi Taremi is such an iconic figure, but even he can't escape the regime's wrath. It's crazy how politics and sports collide like this. The idea that football could be used against people who speak out against their government is really messed up... it just goes to show how much control the regime has over every aspect of life in Iran 
. and what's really sad is that even with all his success abroad, he can't celebrate his goals in iran because of the regime's crackdown. 
. it's not just taremi, ali daei is a great example of what happens when you speak out against the government 
. voria ghafouri closing his cafes in solidarity with protesters is the least he can do, but i fear for his safety too 
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. it's about time someone used their platform to amplify the voices of the iranian people 
. and ahmad shamlou's quote at the end... freedom is breathing in an air where there is no lie 
. can't we all just get some truth and transparency around here? 
? Mehdi Taremi is a total legend on the pitch, but he's going through way too much right now 
. The whole situation in Iran is just heartbreaking - people are suffering, there's economic chaos, and it feels like no one can speak out against the government without facing serious repercussions 
. But at the same time, I have a lot of respect for people like Mehdi Taremi who are speaking out against the regime and advocating for change 
. We should all be supporting them and calling out the government for their human rights abuses 
.
But I guess that's not how politics work, right? 
It's all about control and power, and football is just a tool for them to manipulate and silence anyone who dares to speak out. 
This is so frustrating... I mean, what's the point of all that football if you can't even celebrate a goal without being scared? 
. I mean, who can blame Mehdi Taremi for speaking out? He's just trying to bring some attention to the struggles back home 
. But somehow, with Iran, it's just...different 
. It feels like we're watching from the sidelines as they struggle for basic human rights and freedoms 
– people like Carlos Queiroz, who's using his platform to speak out against the regime, are making a difference 
. And let's not forget about all the other brave voices who are speaking truth to power, even if it means risking their own safety 
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it's not just about football, it's about freedom 
and if players like Taremi keep speaking out, they might just find themselves in trouble 
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that means something 
we need more people like him who can make a difference 
i mean, come on guys, can't we just talk things out? or at least have some freedom of speech around here? it feels like they're trying to silence everyone who speaks out against them... including their own football players 
i mean, it's not even subtle anymore. they're basically saying "hey, we'll let you play football if you wear green and support us" 
no thanks, guys. we want real change around here, not just some half-baked PR stunt 
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. The regime's response is getting more and more brutal by the day, and it's heartbreaking to think about what might happen next 
. I mean, even a famous guy like Mehdi Taremi can't just celebrate his goals without worrying about getting hassled 
. And now, people are losing their livelihoods and lives because of it 
... poor Ali Daei was already in trouble for speaking out last year 
, can you believe it? The fact that Carlos Queiroz is speaking out on social media now is a good sign though 
️. Maybe if people keep using their voices (no pun intended 
. But until then...