Strong Reaction from Sports Champions to Statements by Iran's Minister of Sports

"Athletes should not forget the secure environment they live in. It is this peace, security, and freedom that gives them the courage to criticize the highest officials of the regime." This is part of the harsh remarks made by the Minister of Sports during a meeting of the Strategic Council of the Olympic Committee. He stated: "Athletes must understand that if there are economic pressures, it is the result of unjust sanctions, and they should have a bit of patience." Masoud Soltani-Far, who was responding to controversial statements made by Iranian football players Voria Ghafouri and Ali Karimi, continued: "If wages are delayed, they need to have a proper understanding of the country's economic conditions. Athletes should not think that the situation is normal and hold onto past claims." A video of the Minister's speech was published on the Instagram account of the Iranian Olympic Committee, leading to reactions from prominent sports champions. Alireza Karimi, a star wrestler in Iran, commented: "In these abnormal conditions, you and your assistants should also work without salaries and endure hardships alongside the people." Mohammad Arzandeh, Iran's long jump record holder and representative in two Olympic Games, addressed the Minister of Sports, saying: "Mr. Soltani-Far, please shut your mouth and stop talking." Ehsan Mohajer Shojaei, a five-time medalist in Asian middle-distance running, referred to the lack of expertise of Soltani-Far and Salehi Amir in the sports field, writing: "Where have you been in sports until now? When I was assigned at the Ministry of Sports, you had given your son a room. Why should only the people endure the problems? Does your family also face these issues?" Mehdi Pourrahman, world champion of para-taekwondo, also addressed the Minister of Sports, stating: "You are always demanding. I wish you had a bit of honor. A shred of honesty. How much more lies?" Several other champions from martial arts and non-football disciplines, as well as Soheil Vahedi, the Asian snooker champion, also reacted. The intensity of the protests reached a point where the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran deleted the related post from its Instagram. Mohammad Reza Davarzani, Deputy Minister of Sports, commented on the economic criticisms raised by athletes on social media, stating: "Athletes should be patient. We are in an economic war with the enemy. The enemy has tried to prevent the people from seeing the fortieth dawn." Davarzani continued: "The way to overcome these difficult conditions is through solidarity. During the war, missiles were fired, and people were attacked, but everyone felt obliged to defend. If we are careless in our speech, we have helped the enemy." In this context, Alireza Karimi responded to the statements and dissatisfaction of sports officials in an interview with ISNA news agency. The two-time bronze medalist in freestyle wrestling said: "Some officials receive astronomical salaries while their children live luxurious lives in the USA and other countries, speaking as if they are entitled to the people." Karimi, who lost several world medals in various age categories due to not competing against an Israeli representative, reminded: "My father worked for 25 years and receives less than three million tomans in retirement. Can that official who guides us to endure hardships live on this salary?" The Asian Games champion emphasized that 70% of the people belong to the weak segment of society, stating: "It is not right that we demand our rights while officials with astronomical salaries feel entitled and say, 'How dare you say this?'" Recently, players from the Saipa club also went on strike in protest of unpaid wages and did not attend training sessions. According to the Tabnak website, Ali Daei, the coach of this team, said: "The club has more than 80 employees. It makes me laugh because everyone who has come has brought their own people. A club that could be managed with just five people." Daei, whose team was recently eliminated from the AFC Champions League, added: "Some may be upset, but this Saipa factory has 5000 extra employees." The continuation of these protests by Iranian athletes comes at a time when Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has also stated in his latest speech: "Some who benefit from the country's security and carry out their work and sports, and then break the salt container, should know that security is achieved this way. Let us not forget how security is obtained."