Professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani is reportedly facing execution in Iran for “campaigning for women’s rights and basic freedom in his country”.
FifPro, the international players union, said it was “shocked and sickened” at the reports and called for the punishment to be revoked.
There have been widespread anti-government protests in Iran sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in custody in September having been detained for allegedly failing to follow the country’s Islamic dress code.
Prior to the opening 6-2 defeat to England on November 21, the Iran team stood silent when the national anthem was played, which was interpreted as a show of support for the anti-government protests in their country.
Nasr-Azadani played for Persian Gulf Pro League side Tractor between 2016 and 2018, after a short season-long spell with Rah Ahan in 2015-16. The 26-year-old defender has not played professionally since his last appearance in November 2017.