Iranian Soccer Player Faces Execution After Protesting For Women's Rights: Report

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Professional Iranian soccer player Amir Nasr-Azadani is reportedly set to face execution for "campaigning for women's rights and basic freedom in his country."

FifPro, an international player's union that supports over 65,000 soccer players, shared the news while calling for the immediate removal of his punishment.

The report of the Iranian soccer player facing execution comes amid major protests taking place in Iran.

Iranians have taken to the streets to protest the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who died after being arrested by the morality police in September for not wearing her hijab properly.

The Iran national team stood in silence during the playing of the country's national anthem ahead of its World Cup match against England on November 21. The silent protest was taken as a sign of support for the anti-government protests taking place back home.

Iran Reportedly Executing Protestors

BBC has reported that 23-year-old Majidrez Rahnavard was executed in the city of Mashhad after a court convicted him of "enmity against God" after stabbing to death two members of a paramilitary group amid protests.

He was hanged 23 days after he was initially arrested.

Amnesty International has said Iranian authorities are seeking the death penalty for at least 21 people in what it called “sham trials designed to intimidate those participating in the popular uprising that has rocked Iran”.

Rahnavard is believed to be the second person executed over protests. Mohsen Shekari had previously been sentenced to death for injuring a security guard in Tehran. Like Rahnavard, he was reportedly hanged in public as well.

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Mark covers all sports at OutKick while keeping a close eye on the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and all other happenings in the world of golf. He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga before earning his master's degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee. He somehow survived living in Knoxville despite ‘Rocky Top’ being his least favorite song ever written. Before joining OutKick, he wrote for various outlets including SB Nation, The Spun, and BroBible. Mark was also a writer for the Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate in 2016 when the team won the World Series. He's still waiting for his championship ring to arrive. Follow him on Twitter @itismarkharris.