The Iranian’s Bundesliga club praised the stance Azmoun took on the recent repressive state-led violence that has claimed over 50 civilian lives.
“National team rules precluded us from saying anything until the end of training camp, but I can’t stand to remain silent anymore,” Azmoun wrote, “Kick me out. If it saves one hair of an Iranian woman, it was worth it. Shame on those who kill people for such trivial reasons. Long live Iranian women.”
Azmoun now almost certainly faces expulsion from the national team. Furthermore, such a statement will earn both he and his family reprisals from hardliners within the Islamic Republic. The editorial pages of the Bundesrepublik praised and backed the 28-year-old for taking the stand. The Iranian’s German club team also released a supportive missive.
“Sardar declared his solidarity with the female population in Iran,” B04 sporting wrote in a press release, “And, of naturally, we at Bayer 04 Leverkusen support Sardar’s personal commitment. He is committed to the preservation and strengthening of democratically legitimized fundamental values.”
Germany’s “Sport Bild” newspaper labelled Azmoun “the most courageous professional in the Bundesliga” in a Tuesday editorial.
