Wafa Hakhmenashi escaped from his marker, swung the ball previous the goalkeeper, dashed in the direction of the cameras and picked up his T-shirt. Such aim celebrations are widespread in soccer, however Wafa needed to make use of the second – his first aim in India and that of his membership Chennaiyin – to ship a message.
On the vest of the Iranian footballer had been phrases of help for the ladies of his nation. They learn: Freedom for #Women #Life #11:11.
These phrases have began to resonate amongst Iranians over the previous few months. Following the loss of life of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old girl who died in police custody in Tehran on September 13, arrested for not sporting a hijab, protests have erupted throughout the nation.
The phrases had been allegedly uttered on Wafa’s vest throughout Amini’s funeral by protesters who’re breaking the hijab regulation as a present of discontent. And within the days that adopted, Iranian footballers joined in.
However, a present of solidarity, which got here within the Indian Super League match towards East Bengal on Friday, resulted in Wafa getting a second yellow card, and thus being despatched off. According to the foundations, gamers are sanctioned by the referee in the event that they take off their shirt through the celebration or even when they elevate the shirt to disclose a political message.
Hkhamenashi, nevertheless, didn’t budge. The 31-year-old Irani was already proven a yellow card for a foul within the sixtieth minute.
However, 9 minutes later, his aim was sufficient to seal the win for Chennaiyin. Chennaiyin beat East Bengal 1–0, their second win of the season, whereas Kolkata suffered their fourth loss in entrance of over 17,000 followers.
Hakhamaneshi, a defender, joined Chennaiyin from Thai membership Ratchaburi earlier this season.
Iranian soccer gamers have backed Amini, led by his talismanic attacker Sardar Azmoun, who posted a social media message final month. Then, throughout their ultimate match earlier than the World Cup towards Senegal, the Iranian crew walked out of the dugout sporting a black jacket to cowl their nationwide crew emblem through the nationwide anthem in help of Iran’s ladies.
Other soccer legends equivalent to former Bayern Munich participant, as soon as known as ‘Asian Maradona’, Ali Karimi and Iran striker Ali Dei had been additionally outspoken of their help on social media. Iranian participant Jobir Niknafs additionally shaved his head in solidarity with Amini and Iranian ladies.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
