Iran police arrested on Thursday, 24, one of the most famous football players in the country, accusing him of spreading propaganda against the Islamic republic and trying to undermine the national selection of the World Cup.
Voria Ghafouri, former captain of Tehran Esteghlal Club, is an active defender of the Iranian Kurdish minority, and has already sent messages to the government on social media to "stop killing Kurds". He had previously been arrested for criticizing Iran's former Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif.
The player was arrested after training with his team, Foolad Khuzestan, on the charge of "staining the reputation of national selection and spreading propaganda against the state," said the news agency Fars.
Iran faces Wales this Friday, 24, in its second World Cup match. The Iranian team has already engaged in controversy after not singing the national anthem before the game against England, and Ghafouri's arrest is seen as a warning for players not to repeat their protests.
In the last few days, ministers accused Ghafouri of being a Kurdish separatist, but he replied that he would give his life for Iran. Earlier this year, the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that "some people, who benefit from the peace and security of the country, enjoying their jobs and favorite sports, bite the hand that feeds them".
The 35-year-old player was part of Iran's 2018 World Cup selection, but was not included in this year's final line-up at Qatar.
Other agencies claimed that he was also accused of "insulting and intending to destroy the national football team and speak against the regime".
