Shakira urges support for Iranian footballer facing execution before World Cup final

While the world's attention was focused on the World Cup final in Qatar on Sunday, Lebanese-Colombian singer Shakira urged support for a footballer facing execution in Iran in connection with the ongoing protests in the country.

The 45-year-old tweeted about detained Iranian football player Amir Nasr-Azadani's plight moments before the Argentina v France showdown kicked off at the Lusail Stadium.

"Today at the final of the World Cup, I only hope the players on the field and the whole world remembers that there’s a man and fellow footballer called Amir Nasr, on death row, only for speaking in favor of Women’s rights," she said in a tweet that has amassed close to half a million likes.

Today at the final of the World Cup, I only hope the players on the field and the whole world remembers that there’s a man and fellow footballer called Amir Nasr, on death row, only for speaking in favor of Women’s rights. pic.twitter.com/VdMicGVaml

— Shakira (@shakira) December 18, 2022

Nasr-Azadani was arrested in the central city of Isfahan two days after allegedly taking part on 16 September in what authorities called an 'armed riot' in which three three security agents were killed, according to Iranian state media.

Authorities have accused him of 'rebellion, membership in illegal gangs, collusion to undermine security and therefore assisting in moharabeh' - or 'enmity against God'.

"I hope there’s more than a minute of silence in our hearts to remember what’s important and more than one voice united screaming for what is just," Shakira said in her tweet.

A day earlier, she tweeted a link to a Spanish-language petition on Change.org that calls on Iran not to execute the 26-year-old footballer. The petition has accumulated more than 1 million signatures so far.

The fight for equality and human rights should be praised not punished, I stand in solidarity with Amir Nasr. https://t.co/QkqC9fgymX

La lucha por la igualdad y los derechos humanos debe de ser reconocida y no castigada. Me uno en solidaridad con Amir Nasr.

— Shakira (@shakira) December 17, 2022

Aside from a singing career that has spanned more than three decades, Shakira is also known for her humanitarian work and as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

She has performed at multiple World Cups, and sang the official anthem to the 2010 run of the tournament held in South Africa, 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)'.

Nasr-Azadani's sentencing comes after Iran sentenced two men to death for taking part in the country's ongoing protests.

The nationwide demonstrations were prompted by the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who died in police custody on 16 September following her arrest for allegedly wearing her hijab in an improper manner. 

At least 469 people have been killed in the demonstrations so far, according to the Oslo-based rights group Iran Human Rights.

FIFPRO, the world union of professional footballers, said last week that they were "shocked and sickened" at Nasr-Azadani’s sentencing, and have called for "the immediate removal of his punishment".

Former Iranian footballer Ali Karimi, who has voiced support for Iranian protesters, has also urged authorities to halt Nasr-Azadani's execution.