Iranian soccer star Ali Daei 'threatened after protests'

(ANSA) - PARIS, NOVEMBER 28 - The symbolic player of Iranian football, Ali Daei, said he was subjected to threats after having supported the protests over the death of Mahsa Amini.

    "In the past months and days, I have received numerous threats against me and my family from some unknown organizations, media and individuals," Daei said on Instagram.

"They taught me humanity, honour, patriotism and freedom…. What do you want to achieve with these threats?" he added, calling for the "unconditional release" of prisoners arrested during the crackdown on protests.

    Daei, second scorer of a national team of all time with 109 goals (behind only Cristiano Ronaldo), had refused to go to Qatar, despite the invitation of the organizers, explaining that he wanted to be "with my compatriots and express solidarity with those who have lost their loved ones" during the crackdown.

    Today in Qatar Iran will face the United States.

In the 1998 World Cup Ali Daei was the protagonist of the historic victory of his national team against the American one.

    Football was subject to intense scrutiny by the regime.

Kurdish-born player Voria Ghafouri, who openly supported the protests, was arrested last week.

According to Iranian media, he was released on bail.

But the Norwegian-based Kurdish rights group Hengaw has denied this report, saying he has been transferred to a prison in Tehran.

(HANDLE).