“It is a more than courageous act”, salutes this Sunday, October 2 in the “Club Info” of franceinfo Bandad Mirzahi. The former director of operations of the Iran football team (2013-2018) reacts to the initiative of the players who showed their support for the protesters in their country by hiding their jerseys during their national anthem, Tuesday September 27, before a friendly match against Senegal in Austria. “They were smart enough to all take a stand at the same time”he declares, believing that it will be difficult for Tehran to sanction them.
Since the death of Mahsa Amini, on September 16, following a control by the morality police, demonstrations have multiplied everywhere in Iran. The protest movement against the regime in place does not seem to be weakening despite the strong repression. At least 92 people have died since the start of the protests, according to a latest report from the NGO Iran Human Rights, based in Oslo, published this Sunday.
franceinfo: Did you find the act of the Iranian players courageous?
Bandad Mirzahi, former manager of the Iran football team: Having known most of these kids who are now playing for the national team, I think 99% of them have their children and families in Iran. To take a position like that, especially publicly, in front of the screens, in front of the world, is a more than courageous act. I think there was no more impact than that but they did what they had to do. The Iranians would like the footballers to take tougher positions, but I think it’s hard to ask more of them. They are kids who live in Iran. I understand their situation.
Do they risk penalties, in your opinion?
They were smart enough to all take a stand at the same time. It will therefore be difficult to oust the entire team, otherwise the mighty FIFA would be able to go so far as to exclude Iran from the World Cup in Qatar. With the competition now approaching less than 50 days away, plus this hugely politically important game against the United States, I don’t think there are any sanctions for them. But everything is possible, I do not want to say no.
Maybe things will be different after the World Cup?
In Iran, you never know. For example, former international star Ali Karimi, former of Bayern Munich and Persepolis, the most popular club in Iran, was arrested with his family because they took very strong positions. We haven’t heard from you for three days. Having lived there long enough, it’s hard to say if there could be any repercussions.
What influence can football have on politics in Iran?
It is even more than in France, where the President of the Republic has derailed the departure of Mbappé to Real Madrid. In Iran, national team players are more followed on social networks than some world stars. The impact is enormous. People follow football very strongly. The Iranian derby is known as one of the hottest derbies in the world with more than 100,000 people at the stadium and 50,000 outside the stadium. It’s a real bond with the people. I think footballers really carry weight today and their words can have quite significant consequences in society.