Iran's footballers face battle to be heard as regime brutally clamps down on protests

"It actually has to do with the conditions in my country, Taremi said. There are problems between the people and the government. The people are always with us, and that's why we are with them. I couldn't celebrate in solidarity with the Iranian people. I know that Olympiakos fans would like me to be happy, but I don't celebrate the goals, in solidarity with what the Iranian people are going through."

"And what they are going through seems worse than at any time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution deposed the Shah and put Ayatollah Khomeini in power. Surging inflation and a collapsing currency have sparked major anti-government protests and unrest across Iran. The response has been brutal. The ruling regime is clinging on to power by dealing out death, more repression and an internet blackout that has lasted for days."

"WhatsApp messages remain with one tick, emails are undelivered and websites unreachable. For the millions of people outside the country with loved ones inside, there is fear and worry. Football has always occupied a central place in Iran, a country where the government, like many authoritarian regimes, is wary of the power of mass gatherings and their potential to turn political but is also ready to use success for its own ends."

Mehdi Taremi turned inside the area and scored his eighth goal of the season to secure a 2-0 win for Olympiakos and move the club to the top of the Greek Super League. Internet and communications were cut in Iran, preventing residents from seeing the player's non-celebration. The player refrained from celebrating in solidarity with the Iranian people because of problems between the people and the government. Surging inflation and a collapsing currency have sparked major anti-government protests across Iran. The regime responded with lethal force, increased repression and a prolonged internet blackout. WhatsApp messages remain with one tick, emails are undelivered and websites are unreachable, causing fear among those with loved ones inside the country. Football occupies a central place in Iran, where the government is wary of mass gatherings but also ready to use sporting success for its own ends.

Read at www.theguardian.com