Iran — Ali Daei: Authorities seal soccer legend's store

Enlarge image

Ali Daei faces repression in his Iranian homeland

Photo:

GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP

Iranian football star Ali Daei's commitment to the protest movement in his country has new consequences.

According to the Isna and Fars news agencies, Daei's jewelry store has been sealed off by authorities.

The background is the decision of the former Bundesliga player from Bayern Munich to close his shop for three days due to a general strike.

According to Isna, Daei's restaurant is also affected.

Daei had reported threats in November for supporting the protests following the death of Mahsa Amini.

The 22-year-old Kurd was arrested by the vice squad in mid-September for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly and died three days later.

Her death sparked the largest sustained wave of protests in Iran in decades.

passport confiscated

Daei then decided not to travel to Qatar as a guest for the World Cup.

Daei said he wanted to be "with my countrymen" and "express my condolences to all those who lost loved ones" during the protests.

Because of his support for the protests, Daei's passport was confiscated for a few days in October.

In Germany, Daei initially played for Arminia Bielefeld and FC Bayern before moving to Hertha BSC.

Daei scored 109 international goals for Iran during his playing career - a mark only surpassed by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo last year.

hba/AFP/Reuters