Ex-Iran National Team Footballer Honored For Regime Loyalty

Nima Nakisa, a former goalkeeper of the Iranian national football team, was introduced as the new CEO of Zob-e Ahan football club in Esfahan.

He was one of the few athletes who called the protesters against the murder of Mahsa Amini as "separatists" in November last year and demanded the security forces to repress demonstrators.

Following his comments, countless Iranians on social media slammed his statements, but regime supporters defended Nakisa, citing his doctorate level education as a reason for his authority.

Nakisa did not hold any position as a coach or manager until the nationwide protests began. Some critics say he has been rewarded for standing by the government.

This comes as Iran's security agencies earlier ordered the officials of Persepolis football club in Tehran to remove Karim Bagheri, the team's assistant coach, for his support of protests. Other players have suffered pay cuts, travel bans and social media blackouts for supporting the protests.

Bagheri also threw his weight behind his peer Ali Karimi, who is now one of the prominent opposition leaders, saying “Ali Karimi is neither a traitor nor a defector, but an honorable patriot… What have you done for these people except talking nonsense and insulting their heroes?”