In a disturbing assault on free expression, Iran attempted to prevent a Mail on Sunday reporter from attending an international football match on European land.
In an effort to stifle coverage of large demonstrations, match organisers in Austria notified media that the decision to restrict them “was taken by the Iranian FA.”
The Iranian FA was under pressure from football authorities to let media and supporters into the game, a friendly between Iran and Uruguay, and the restriction was eventually removed at the eleventh hour.
Austrian police forcibly removed peaceful protestors who were opposed to the death of a 22-year-old Iranian woman while in police custody from the stadium during the game.
“I’ve been writing about sports for 15 years, and nobody has ever attempted to have me kicked out of a game,” mailman Ian Herbert said.
“How can they attempt to bar journalists from attending a soccer match on European soil?” Our investigations revealed that this was clearly a state-sponsored act by Iran. They didn’t alter their minds until we saw the Portuguese management of the squad.
It was disgraceful to kick out two fans on Friday night for little more than brandishing an A4 picture of Mahsa Amini. In an effort to defend throwing them out of the earth, the neighbourhood cops are now twisting themselves up in knots.
‘When Iran plays another game in Austria on Tuesday night, I anticipate seeing more demonstrations. Austria, which is hosting Iran for a World Cup training camp, is embarrassed by this.
This portends very poorly for Iran ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, where they will play England in the first round.
Iran has seen a rise in protests after the murder of Ms. Amini, who was detained by the morality police of the hard-line government for ‘improperly’ donning a headscarf.
Furious throngs of women have gathered throughout Iran in protest of her killing, openly burning their veils and cutting their hair in a display of defiance. Her death has sparked outrage in the conservative Muslim country. Throughout the World Cup, protests are anticipated to continue.
During Iran’s 1-0 win against Uruguay in the first half, the two protesting supporters were dismissed. The match was place in the town of St. Polten.
A sign with a photo of Ms. Amini and the words “A 22-year-old Iranian girl was killed on September 16 by the police of the Islamic Republic of Iran” was demanded of two individuals by police and stadium security.
When they continued to resist, the men were led out of the stadium. Video captured one guy being shoved by three police officers and at least one security guard as he asserted his right to peaceful protest.
As the Iranian government anticipated fresh demonstrations in front of European spectators, the game was originally scheduled to be played behind closed doors.
However, at the last minute, under pressure from football officials, this decision was modified, and around 400 supporters were let inside.
Iranian National Council of Resistance member Shahin Gobadi stated: “The free world needs to support the Iranian people. It ought to let the Iranian diaspora denounce this harsh repression and bring to light the crimes committed by the clerics.
The demonstrators left the stadium “voluntarily,” according to Austrian police spokesperson Raimund Schwaigerlehner, who also emphasised that there was “no involvement on the side of Iranian government authorities.”
He declared: “The right to demonstrate is a crucial one in Austria. However, the gathering has to be authorised by the appropriate authorities.