Iranian authorities confiscate Ali Daei’s passport

Persian football legend has been a voice of support for the protests in Iran and is now barred from leaving the country

The consequences continue to be felt for anyone who expresses support for the popular uprising of Iranians against the regime in that country, regardless of status and position. After the arrest of footballers, former players and other public figures, it was Ali Daei’s turn, the biggest figure in Persian football, to have his passport confiscated.

The former Iran international and the national team’s second-highest scorer (109 goals, behind Cristiano Ronaldo), was returning from Istanbul, Turkey, when the authorities took away his passport. He is thus, of course, barred from leaving the country.

It was not uncommon to see Ali Daei point the finger at the Iranian regime in defense of civilians, as well as being one of the staunchest supporters of the presence of women in stadiums. The wave of revolt and protests that erupted in Iran after Masha Amini’s death was just the latest example.

The governor of Tehran province had recently warned that “celebrities who blew into the embers of the riots will be persecuted.” Ali Daei joins a list of targets that grows every day.