Iranian legend Ali Daei will not be cheering on his nation in their opening World Cup clash with England - after declaring his support for the human rights protests currently taking place in his country.
Daei, 53, had his passport confiscated for speaking out after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of Iran's morality police in September.
The paperwork was returned to him after only a week, but the striker who scored 109 goals for his country during his career, then decided to turn down an invitation from FIFA to attend the tournament with his wife and two daughters to register his discontent.
Daei, who was one of eight FIFA legends who took part in the World Cup draw last March, is currently serving a three-year coaching ban for his criticism of an Iranian club president.
He said: “I prefer to express my sympathy with all the families who lost loved ones over these days. Instead of repression, violence and arresting the Iranian people, solve their problems.”
Daei held the record for most international goals before his mark was beaten by Cristiano Ronaldo last year.
Iran will be roared on by thousands of fans who live in the United Arab Emirates when they face England in the 45,000-capacity Khalifa International Stadium on Monday.
Many of them are expected to bring banners voicing their discontent about the brutal way the regime in Tehran are treating protestors.
Winger Mehdi Torabi, however, has made it clear that the Iranian government has his full support.
Torabi once celebrated a goal for his club Persepolis by revealing a message on his undershirt that read ‘The only way to save the country is to obey the leader.’
Afterwards, he insisted it was his own idea - but Torabi now splits opinion amongst supporters.
Former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz has returned to coach the Iranian team after Dragan Skocic was sacked following a fall-out with his bosses.
Porto striker Mehdi Tarem has picked up the mantle left behind by the legendary Daei and has scored 28 goals in 60 games for Iran.
Tarem, 30, only made the move to Portugal three years ago when he joined Rio Ave, but his impact was so impressive that Porto signed him for £12million just 12 months later.
Earlier this year, the striker’s father cried on Iranian TV as he said: “I regret that my boy didn’t go to European football much earlier. It’s all my fault.”
Central defender Hossein Kanaanizadegan promised Gareth Southgate that Iran would give him good reason to remember their team after the England boss failed to mention them following the World Cup draw.
A colourful personality, the 28-year-old who plays for Qatari club Al Ahli, celebrates goals by performing a flamboyant dance.
Kanaanizadegan almost missed the World Cup after voicemails of him inviting a woman onto Iran’s team bus for a tryst were leaked and he was banned from international football for two games.
