Media Affiliated with the IRGC Issues Warning to 'Schäfer': He Does Not Belong in Iranian Football, Must Be Tried!

Following the announcement of the appointment of German coach 'Winfried Schäfer' as the new head coach of the Oil Industry Football Club of Abadan, one of the media outlets affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) opposed his activity in Iran. Today's reaction from the newspaper 'Javan' continues a series of responses from government-affiliated media in recent days. In its issue today, Sunday, January 14, the 'Javan' newspaper, which is funded by the country's defense budget, claimed that the 'insistence' of the CEO of the Oil Industry Club to 'attract Winfried Schäfer' as the new head coach of the team is 'suspicious.' The media outlet further stated that the CEO's efforts could only be punished with 'reprimand, punishment, or even suspension.' Iranian sports have always been subject to direct and indirect interference from military and government officials over the past decades, and at certain times have faced international sanctions in this regard. In this context, it was rumored in July of this year that security agencies opposed Karim Bagheri's continued collaboration with Persepolis. Karim Bagheri, the coach of Persepolis in recent seasons, who has been sidelined for the upcoming season, also stated in an interview that 'some' have told him he is 'banned from working.' This prominent Iranian footballer was among those athletes who expressed their protests during last year's nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the Islamic Republic's 'Guidance Patrol' police by posting various materials on social media. The IRGC-affiliated media further claimed today that Schäfer, the former coach of Esteghlal, after leaving the blue-clad team, made statements against Iran upon returning to his homeland that were 'completely contrary to the national security of the country and in support of subversive movements and the complex media sedition of last year against Islamic Iran.' Jooad Nekounam, the record holder for 'most national games' in the Iranian national football team and last year's coach of Foolad Khuzestan, also faced delays in signing a contract when he was offered the head coach position of Esteghlal this season. Reports indicate that his issue was resolved only after he deleted many of his previous posts on social media. Rahman Razai, who has 54 national games, was also removed from the national football team staff at the beginning of Farvardin this year by order of the security officials of the Ministry of Sports and Youth of the Islamic Republic after he posted supportive stories about the nationwide protests. However, it was later announced that his 'problem' was resolved after deleting some posts and giving interviews to certain official media. In recent weeks, discussions about the potential return of Jurgen Locadia, a former Persepolis player who left during the peak of last year's protests and later posted against the 'executions' of protesters in Iran, became a topic of sports media, with his 'problem' for participating in Iranian football likely related to his positions during last year's protests. Now, the IRGC media, in addition to opposing the potential decision of a sports club, is calling for 'Winfried Schäfer' to be brought to 'the table of trial' for what has been described as 'pouring water on the enemies' mill.' At certain times, the pressure and interference of military and security institutions in the field of sports have reached a level that has even prevented pressured athletes from attending stadiums to announce their farewells and retire from sports. Voria Ghafouri, the former captain of Esteghlal, who previously stated he would retire from football during the derby but was not allowed to enter the stadium, announced his retirement from the world of football in June this year through an Instagram post. He had also been detained for a period before. This popular football figure had previously emphasized in an interview: 'I have one life, and I would sacrifice it thousands of times for Iran.' In his social media messages, he has repeatedly addressed issues such as the death of Mahsa Amini, the suppression of defenseless women and children, and the brutal killings of Kurds by government forces. Voria Ghafouri was not allowed to attend the stadium; cheers from Esteghlal and Persepolis fans reacted widely to Voria Ghafouri's retirement from football and cheered him at Azadi Stadium. Voria Ghafouri: November 2020 'is reminiscent of dark days.' Karim Bagheri's restaurant was closed for 'not adhering to mandatory hijab.' The crackdown on athletes supporting protests has intensified; security forces raided the home of Hossein Mahini. Karim Bagheri: Some have told me I am banned from working. Voria Ghafouri's Instagram farewell: 'I was eager to say goodbye in normal conditions and in the stadium.' Reactions to Voria Ghafouri's farewell from football; Majid Tokali: He stood for Iran.