Picture Credit: Twitter
FIFA World Cup 2022 has been attracting a lot of traction from the world. Many have used the elite stage to draw attention to the ongoing violation of fundamental rights in different parts of the world, and few have achieved some success.
In a significant development, Iran has decided to release more than 700 prisoners after the national team's World Cup football victory over Wales. The same was confirmed by the judiciary's Mizan Online website on Monday. "700 detainees were freed from different prisons in the country following the 2-0 victory on Friday," read the statement on the website.
Notably, the ongoing protest in Iran was triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, after her arrest by morality police for an alleged breach of Iran's strict dress rules for women. A report suggests that former international footballer Voria Ghafouri and dissident Hossein Ronaghi - two of the most prominent figures detained by the local security force were also released on bail.
Last week, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated that around 14,000 people had been arrested in Iran. Speaking of the FIFA World Cup 2022 match , Iran o n Friday scored twice deep into stoppage time to stun Wales and gave a shot in the arm into its World Cup campaign ahead of a politically charged showdown on Tuesday against the United States. Earlier, Iran lost its World Cup opener to England 2-6.
Meanwhile, Iran coach Carlos Queiroz called Jurgen Klinsmann to step down from a FIFA experts panel on Sunday after the former Germany striker accused the Iranians of gamesmanship in their World Cup win over Wales. Klinsmann, a member of FIFA's seven-member technical study group, targeted Iran's tactics in their 2-0 Group B win against Wales on Friday.
The former USA coach said a series of niggling fouls and the conduct of the Iranian coaching staff during the game was part of a deliberate strategy to distract opponents' focus.
"This is not by coincidence. This is all purposely. This is part of their culture; that's how they play it," Klinsmann had said while working as a studio analyst for the BBC.
