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England’s World Cup opponents Iran name striker Sardar Azmoun in their roster – despite government pressure to keep Bayer Leverkusen’s star OUT after he backed protests over Mahsa Amini’s death
- Iran has named Leverkusen star Sadar Azmoun in their latest World Cup squad
- The Iranian government had pressured Carlos Quieroz not to choose the attacker
- Azmoun spoke out in support of the protests over the death of Masha Amini
- Amini died in police custody after being arrested for not wearing a hijab
- England will face Iran next Monday in their World Cup opener in Group B’s first game
- Follow all the latest news for the World Cup in Qatar
Iranian footballer Sardar Azmoun has been named in his country’s World Cup squad despite government pressure to remove the Bayer Leverkusen player after he expressed support for protests following the death of Masha Amini.
Azmoun ignored instructions from the Iranian FA, which banned players from speaking out about the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died while in custody.
Amini was arrested for not wearing the hijab and eyewitnesses said she was severely beaten. Police claimed she had a heart attack at the station and slipped into a coma.
Mass protests followed and early this month there were reportedly 304 deaths of protesters as a result of violent crackdowns by security forces.
On his Instagram account, Azmoun said: ‘Worst case scenario, I’ll be fired from the national team. No problem. I would sacrifice that for one hair on the head of Iranian women.
This story will not be deleted. They can do whatever they want. Shame on you for killing so easily; long live Iranian women.’
In response, Iran’s FA manager had pressured Carlos Queiroz not to select the 27-year-old for the tournament – in which they play against England in the group stage – but he has been selected.
Sardar Azmoun has been included in Iran’s World Cup squad despite government opposition
Protests continue in Iran over the death of Masha Animi, who died in police custody
Death of 22-year-old Amini has sparked worldwide protests, but Iranian government vowed not to back down
Azmoun, nicknamed ‘The Iranian Messi’, is seen as one of Iran’s key players in Qatar, and was previously linked with a move to the Premier League.
His vocal support for the protesters is extremely important at a time of unrest in Iran.
Western countries have pressured the Islamic Republic to end the violence and the crowds in Tehran have shouted “death to the dictator” and called for the end of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali’s more than three-decade rule Khamenei, 83.
Many women burned their hijabs in protest and in Sanandaj, the capital of Amini’s western home province of Kurdistan, women climbed onto the roofs of cars to tear off their headscarves in front of cheering crowds, images published by the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights group (IHR) showed, while the police were nowhere to be seen.
The crackdown on the women-led protests has led to condemnations worldwide.
Women are burning their headscarves in Kurdish-controlled northeast Syria. Protests have spread across the Middle East and the West since Masha Amini .’s death
Azmoun is one of Iran’s key players, but they were pressured not to pick him
Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton praised the brave women in Iran who fought for their freedom against the regime
Last month she said at an awards ceremony: “I couldn’t stand here tonight without also recognizing the brave women in Iran who stand up for their rights, their freedom against a horrific regime that remains in power largely because they oppress. Ladies.
“It is work in our own country to keep our progress going and not turn back the clock, and it is also the concern for the rest of the world,” she said during her speech.
It will be interesting to see if there is any fallout about Azmoun’s inclusion in the roster with Iran in the spotlight in Qatar.
They play against Tunisia in Doha in their final warm-up match before taking on England in the World Cup opener next Monday.
There were also concerns about Azoum’s condition. He tore a muscle in his right calf while warming up for Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League clash with Porto on October 4 and has not reappeared since, with his Bundesliga club saying he is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks. .
Carlos Queiroz’s side is in Group B and will become England’s first opponent in Qatar next week
One name that failed to make it to the squad was midfielder Omid Ebrahimi, who was left out after suffering a groin injury in a friendly this week.
The Al Wakrah player sustained the groin injury on Thursday in the friendly against Nicaragua. The 35-year-old was a standout performer under Queiroz in 2018, but has only appeared four times for Iran since November 2019.
Mehdi Taremi has played for Porto this season, scoring 13 goals in 19 appearances, and will lead either in Qatar alone or with Azmoun should the Leverkusen striker shake off the injury in time for their opening game against England on November 21.
Former Manchester United assistant manager Queiroz – back in his second stint as Iran coach – sees Group B as a big opportunity for his side, as it is the only group to have all four teams in the FIFA’s top 20 rankings. come.