44 dead footballers in Iran: Why is FIFA silent?

As Iran prepares for its opening World Cup match, serious questions loom over the nation's human rights record and the international response. Dozens of footballers have reportedly been killed by the Iranian regime, a grim reality that the global football community appears reluctant to address, particularly FIFA.

One such case is that of Ehsan Hoseinipour Hesarlou, a 19-year-old footballer from FC Jahan Gostar. He was arrested on January 8 for participating in nationwide protests, accused of setting a mosque on fire and involvement in the deaths of two pro-regime militia members. Crucially, no concrete evidence has been presented to substantiate these charges, which are described as incomprehensible, mirroring many other cases.

Despite the lack of clear evidence, Hesarlou's trial proceeded at breakneck speed, culminating in a death sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court. This situation raises stark questions about the fairness of the judicial process in Iran and FIFA's silence on the matter. The article highlights protests in Los Angeles drawing attention to the plight of these athletes, contrasting their potential on the field with their current imprisonment and the threat of execution.