From Amjadiyeh to Azadi: Half a Century of the 'Death to the Dictator' Slogan in the Stadium

A group of spectators present at Azadi Stadium shouted 'Death to the Dictator' after the Persepolis match against Foolad Khuzestan on Friday, August 12, while exiting the tunnels, a slogan that has been heard multiple times in recent demonstrations across several cities. However, this is not the first time football fans have chanted anti-government slogans. It has been nearly half a century since Persepolis supporters first exited the stadium chanting 'Death to the Dictator.' A 'highly confidential' report from SAVAK regarding the derby events in January 1970 was written five days after the match. The game between Taj and Persepolis was left unfinished as Persepolis left the field, and agitated and protesting spectators took to the streets. Parts of the report state: 'As the crowd passed from Takht Jamshid, some were saying, 'Either stop the football or change the team.' At the Government Gate, the police attacked them. Persepolis supporters shouted 'Death to this law-breaking government,' and some fleeing chanted 'Death to this dictator.' The SAVAK report emphasizes that some Persepolis fans 'entered Lalehzar Street and chanted against the Taj team and General Khosrowani until they reached Sepah Square; although the police dispersed them several times, they regrouped.' The Islamic Revolution succeeded, but it was not long before the new regime faced dissent from football fans. The Amjadiyeh incident on October 9, 1984, saw a flood of people waiting for the start of the PAS and Persepolis match, but the stadium's loudspeaker announced that due to high attendance, the match would be held at Azadi Stadium without ticket sales. Moments later, people pulled down the loudspeaker, came onto the field, set fire to the high jump mats and other fuel facilities, and chanted slogans against the Islamic Republic. Janfada, the head of Tehran's football federation, was arrested for 'admitting to arbitrary misconduct leading to the incidents.' This was the last time a match was held for Persepolis at Amjadiyeh. The Islamic Republic canceled that year's football competitions. Five years later, on February 16, 1990, larger incidents occurred during the last week of the Tehran club cup, and the clashes spread to the city. Persepolis and the Gendarmerie were supposed to meet at Azadi Stadium. The Tehran football federation canceled the match on the morning of the game due to rain. Fans who had come to the stadium shouted political slogans on Azadi Street towards Imam Hussein Square, saying: 'Death to the Islamic Republic.' During the clashes, a police patrol was set on fire, leading to the resignation of Colonel Qods, the head of Tehran police. Hassan Ghafouri-Fard, the then head of the Physical Education Organization, stated: 'Some took advantage and caused disruption, and appropriate measures will be taken against them.' Abdullah Nouri, the Minister of Interior, said at a press conference: 'Some foreign media continue this story with mental and imaginary analyses. The noise subsided within an hour, and people dispersed.' Saeed Madani, the editor of Kayhan Sports, wrote: 'Who were the real instigators of those events? We must neutralize the grounds for a few known troublemakers. Otherwise, the people will determine the fate of those who pound the sea.' The recent wave of protests in Iran may decrease, cease, or continue and expand. However, the new season of the Iranian Premier League has just begun, and only two weeks have passed. The first week was accompanied by slogans against the Minister of Sports, and the second week featured the 'Death to the Dictator' slogan from protesting fans coming from various social strata. The Sepahan match in the first week and the Tractor match in the second week were held without spectators for disciplinary reasons. Will anti-government slogans lead to other matches being held without spectators by the disciplinary committee, or will this committee take no position regarding the slogans? The Football Federation has not yet reacted to the slogans of Persepolis fans on Friday night. In this context, on Friday night, protest gatherings occurred in several cities in Iran, with the U.S. State Department supporting the recent protests in Iran. The Minister of Interior responded to the protests: 'They think that with a gathering of 200 people, the situation will be disrupted.' 'Attack on a religious seminary' occurred during the protests on Friday night. The changing of the playing field for 'proxy forces' signifies a war against the people in the streets of Iran. The Iranian crisis raises questions about the responsibility of the opposition and the potential radicalization of Iranian society. The last representative of Mossad in Tehran passed away amid the Iranian crisis. Internet outages in Iran have exceeded 300 hours, with reports of evidence regarding the deaths of injured individuals under treatment. Three witnesses recounted the situation in Isfahan province, describing it as 'like war-torn areas.' The last representative of Mossad in Tehran passed away amid the Iranian crisis. Trump emphasized 'stopping executions in Iran,' stating: 'We do not know what will happen in the future.' Trump announced an agreement to hold a meeting about Greenland in Davos.