Prominent figures from Iran’s sporting community are calling for international intervention after weeks of unrest that activists say has left thousands dead. Former Iran and Bayern Munich star Ali Karimi is among 21 signatories to an open letter addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino demanding a strong public condemnation of what they describe as the “mass killing of civilians in Iran, including members of the football community.”
The letter accuses the Iranian Football Association of violating FIFA statutes and urges FIFA to immediately suspend the FA from all FIFA competitions, specifically naming the 2026 World Cup as an event from which Iran should be excluded. It adds that a substantial number of those killed in recent weeks were linked to football and warns that remaining silent would betray the values global football claims to uphold. FIFA has not issued a response.
Karimi, who has lived in the United States since 2023, spoke at a Los Angeles protest in January calling for political change and has argued previously that athletes have a duty to take a moral stance. Three years ago, speaking at a German Football Museum event organized by the German FA and Amnesty International, he said athletes should “always be on the right side of history.”
Mass demonstrations began in late December amid economic hardship and quickly spread across the country, with protesters demanding a change of government. Security forces have used force to try to quell the protests, and official casualty figures are contested.
Also speaking out from abroad is Reyhaneh Amro, a former Iranian canoeist and swimmer who moved to Germany more than a decade ago. She told DW she left Iran because she felt unable to speak freely, saying that people must often stay quiet to avoid punishment or exclusion from national teams. Amro argued athletes are singled out because of their broad social influence and the regime’s fear they could mobilize opposition.
Despite facing threats, cyberattacks and personal risk, Amro continues to raise awareness and support those in Iran. She said the danger is real but argued that silence changes nothing: “We are all in danger. But if we remain silent… nothing will happen,” she said, urging continued resistance.
Both Amro and Karimi frame their activism as part of a wider campaign for the Iranian people: it is not only about athletes but about solidarity with everyone inside the country. Amro appealed for international voices and pressure from Europe, the United States and elsewhere to help isolate the regime.
The interview with Reyhaneh Amro was conducted by Alima Hotakie and edited by Chuck Penfold. Ali Karimi remains one of Iran’s best-known footballers and is widely remembered for his time at Bayern Munich.