Gianni Infantino has been told to kick Iran out of the World Cup by a prominent campaign group in a remarkable letter that accuses the FIFA president of "empty words and gestures" when it comes to acting against the human rights abuses women face in the Islamic republic.
Open Stadiums, a group calling for women to attend games in Iran, have sent a letter to Infantino calling for the country to be expelled from November's tournament. They are due to face England, Wales and the United States in Group B - including an opening fixture against Gareth Southgate's side on November 21.
The letter comes amid horrific scenes across Iran following the death in custody of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by the morality police for breaking a strict dress code. Violent protests have broken out across major cities with more than 76 deaths confirmed.
The Iran team took a stand in their midweek friendly against Senegal by covering the team’s badge during the national anthems but the players have since been warned that any gesture of solidarity with protestors would see them left out of the World Cup squad.
"For over four decades, Iranian women have been denied their most basic liberties. We have been banned from enjoying sports, watching games in stadiums and cheering for our favourite football teams," Open Stadiums wrote in a four-page letter sent to Infantino and published online.
They argue that the Iranian football association has broken articles three and four of its statutes and believe FIFA should “immediately expel” Iran from the World Cup.
Speaking directly to Infantino, the letter added: "You repeatedly made a public commitment that FIFA would solve this gross human rights violation, but we have, sadly, come to the conclusion that these were empty words and promises.
"Nothing has changed - Iranian women remain locked out of our 'beautiful game' and we are systematically repressed when we try to enter stadiums in Iran."
The group said that Ms Amini was killed in a detention centre where female fans are often brought to and tortured if they attempt to attend a football game.
The letter continues: "Both the ongoing uprising in the aftermath of the killing of Mahsa Amini and the brutal clampdown by the regime towards the protesting Iranian people are, sadly, very familiar to us and bring back many terrifying memories to female football fans in Iran."
Open Stadiums also provided a sober warning to fans travelling to the World Cup - because they expect Iranian secret agents to be in Doha monitoring supporters who may consider an act of protest.
They added: "There is no doubt that Qatar will see a heavy presence of the Islamic Republic's state agents, who will travel undercover across the Persian Gulf solely in order to keep Iranian (female) fans and citizens in check, creating potentially dangerous consequences in the aftermath of the tournament for those travelling Iranian fans who make the journey."
