ask FIFA to Support Banned Iranian Players w/ Green
We ask that the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) ask member teams to wear Green Wristbands for one game as a show of solidarity with their compatriots who will NEVER BE ALLOWED TO PLAY FOOTBALL AGAIN BECAUSE THEY CHOSE TO PEACEFULLY AND QUIETLY STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN. THESE ARE INALIENABLE FREEDOMS OF ALL PEOPLE AND FIFA SHOULD EMBRACE THE IMPACT IT CAN HAVE ON THE WORLD BY ASKING TEAMS TO SHOW SUPPORT AGAINST THE INJUSTICES TAKING PLACE NOT ONLY IN IRAN BUT AROUND THE WORLD, JUST AS THE 6 IRANIAN PLAYERS WHO SACRIFICED THEIR CAREERS DID.
Recently, as a symbol of peaceful protest, 6 members of the Iranian National Football Team wore green wristbands during the first half of their World Cup Qualifying Match against South Korea. The green wristbands were worn on an international stage to not only bring world attention to the injustices taking place after the 2009 Presidential Election in Iran but also to peacefully endorse and show solidarity with a cause they believe in. As Iranian heroes and ambassadors for a country that is very much closed off to the rest of the world these footballers were doing what they could, on the biggest stage they could, to help the world understand what freedoms were being taken from the Iranian people by this election and the regime that has ruled over Iran for 30 years.
As a result of their actions, Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Hosein Ka'abi and Vahid Hashemian have been banned from football for life. The four players all have International club ties in various European countries including Germany and England. Ali Karimi, having played for Bayern Munich for many seasons, along with the three other players have had their PASSPORTS confiscated and are said to be barred from giving interviews to the media.
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO NOT ONLY BRING AWARENESS TO THE PLIGHT OF THE IRANIAN PEOPLE, BUT ALL PEOPLE, ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PEACEFULLY DEMONSTRATE AGAINST INJUSTICE. WE SHOULD ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO PEACEFULLY STAND UP FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN.
"You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result" - Mahatma Gandhi
We ask that the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) ask member teams to wear Green Wristbands for one game as a show of solidarity with their compatriots who will NEVER BE ALLOWED TO PLAY FOOTBALL AGAIN BECAUSE THEY CHOSE TO PEACEFULLY AND QUIETLY STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN. THESE ARE INALIENABLE FREEDOMS OF ALL PEOPLE AND FIFA SHOULD EMBRACE THE IMPACT IT CAN HAVE ON THE WORLD BY ASKING TEAMS TO SHOW SUPPORT AGAINST THE INJUSTICES TAKING PLACE NOT ONLY IN IRAN BUT AROUND THE WORLD, JUST AS THE 6 IRANIAN PLAYERS WHO SACRIFICED THEIR CAREERS DID.
Recently, as a symbol of peaceful protest, 6 members of the Iranian National Football Team wore green wristbands during the first half of their World Cup Qualifying Match against South Korea. The green wristbands were worn on an international stage to not only bring world attention to the injustices taking place after the 2009 Presidential Election in Iran but also to peacefully endorse and show solidarity with a cause they believe in. As Iranian heroes and ambassadors for a country that is very much closed off to the rest of the world these footballers were doing what they could, on the biggest stage they could, to help the world understand what freedoms were being taken from the Iranian people by this election and the regime that has ruled over Iran for 30 years.
As a result of their actions, Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Hosein Ka'abi and Vahid Hashemian have been banned from football for life. The four players all have International club ties in various European countries including Germany and England. Ali Karimi, having played for Bayern Munich for many seasons, along with the three other players have had their PASSPORTS confiscated and are said to be barred from giving interviews to the media.
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO NOT ONLY BRING AWARENESS TO THE PLIGHT OF THE IRANIAN PEOPLE, BUT ALL PEOPLE, ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PEACEFULLY DEMONSTRATE AGAINST INJUSTICE. WE SHOULD ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO PEACEFULLY STAND UP FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN.
"You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result" - Mahatma Gandhi
May I propose this also support the other two players who apparently were not banned? And further, I propose football/soccer clubs around the world, starting with the MLS, encourage all players to wear green wristbands during one week in either July or August, before the inauguration of Ahmadinejad, in support of the Iranian players and of the many thousands of Iranians repressed and terrorized for peaceful protests of a fraudulent electoral count.
It's surprising to hear the Leaders of Iran speak of democracy when they deny footballers their right of freedom to play for the country. Let them Play!
Football has often been a powerful and suprising way to give strength and identity to many people - I think of when the Iraqi team won the Asia Cup in 2007 and what hope strength that gave to the Iraqi people in the midst of their unbelievable suffering. This is exactly the same. Football players play for their people, not their governments. Let them play for their people!
It is hard for me t believe that tke rulers of Iran would further add to their shame by baning four four football players from ever playing again for a simple peaceful protest. However when they comdone murder and maiming of peeaceful protesters it should not surprise anyone. What ever happened to the Great Empire of Persia?
Illegitimate government is easily scared by even the simplest of acts
It would be a beautiful gesture from the beautiful game.
