Is an Iran football player arrested? Footballer Ashkan Dejagah is said to be in custody amid the ongoing tension in the country.
Seyed Ashkan Dejagah, better known as Ashkan Dejagah, plays as a midfielder for the Persian Gulf Pro League club Foolad FC (#24).
Dejagah, who has played for the Iranian national team (#21), did not make it to the FIFA World Cup 2022 squad.
He had previously helped Iran qualify for the 2014 World Cup, 2015 Asian Cup, and 2018 FIFA World Cup. In 2015, fans voted the footballer as Iran’s best-ever left midfielder.
A dual national, Dejagah represented Germany at youth levels (2001-2009), winning the 2009 UEFA European U-21 Football Championship.
He has played for Hertha BSC, VfL Wolfsburg, and the Premier League side Fulham at the club level.
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Is Iran Football Player Arrested? What Did Ashkan Dejagah Do?
Ashkan Dejagah is barred from leaving the country for his support of the ongoing protests in Iran. It is unclear if he is also arrested.
However, the Iranian news service Mashregh News has reported that the former Fulham player is currently in custody.
Celebrities and right activist groups called on Iran on Sunday (December 18) to free Actor Taraneh Alidoosti, one of the prominent figures arrested in the government’s crackdown on protests.
Alidoosti was reportedly arrested on Saturday after making social media posts supporting the protest movement — including condemning the execution of protesters and removing her headscarf.
Several famous and prominent figures, including actors and footballers, have been detained or punished in connection with the protests.
Daily sports newspaper Khabar Varzeshi reported that Ashkan Dejagah has been prohibited from leaving Iran “after being seen in protests… in Germany.”
According to his advisor Reza Fazeli’s Twitter, the 36-year-old was already denied a trip with his club Foolad FC Khuzestan to the training camp in Dubai in November.
Likewise, Deutsche Welle notes that the reason was Dejagah’s participation in a freedom rally against the Iranian state power at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
It is unclear whether Dejagah faces further penalties.
The government crackdowns continue as people’s protests against the Iranian regime have escalated following Mahsa Amini’s death in Police custody.
The Oslo-based monitor Iran Human Rights have reported that Iran’s security forces have killed at least 469 people in the protests while arresting at least 14,000.
Ashkan Dejagah Family Background Explored
Seyed Ashkan Dejagah was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to Berlin, Germany when he was one.
His parents are Seyed Mohammad Dejagah and Fatemeh Dejagah. Born on July 5, 1986, Dejagah is currently 37.
Dejagah has two daughters, Alia Dejagah and Alicia Dejagah, with his Azerbaijani wife, Melisa Roodbari.
He attained German citizenship at age 16. He holds dual nationality from Germany and Iran.
That is why Dejagah played for German youth teams from 2001 to 2009, winning the UEFA European U-21 Football Championship in 2009.
The 5’11” athlete later became a part of the Iranian national team in 2011, scoring 11 goals in 59 appearances as of writing.
Dejagah helped his birth country qualify for the 2014 World Cup, 2015 Asian Cup, and 2018 FIFA World Cup, although he did not play in the latter.
In 2015, fans voted Dejagah as Iran’s best-ever left midfielder. The footballer values his roots and has a Tehran tattoo on one arm and Berlin on the other.
Likewise, “Never forget where you’re from” is inked on his neck. No matter where he goes, Dejagah always holds his home country close to his heart.
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