Iranian football enters post-Khamenei era with future shrouded in uncertainty

Iranian football enters post-Khamenei era with future shrouded in uncertainty From the World Cup to the Women’s Asian Cup and the AFC Champions League, it is unclear what may happen next A question about the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to the head coach of the Iran women’s team before the Asian Cup was quickly, and unsurprisingly, shut down by officials in Australia. It is hard to know what Marziyeh Jafari could have said with events back home moving at an almost unimaginable pace. The former leader of Iran cast a large shadow over all walks of life and football was no different, though apparently he was not a fan. But like many dictators he understood and was wary of the power of the country’s most popular sport, and the passions it provoked, especially when thousands of people came together. When times were tense, games were played behind closed doors. The heroes of Melbourne, who came from behind to win a playoff in Australia to qualify for the 1998 World Cup, were told not to come straight home to Tehran as the city celebrated. At that tournament there was more public joy after the famous 2-1 win against USA but Khamenei’s statement was not the most sporting. “Tonight again the strong and arrogant opponents felt the bitter taste of defeat at your hands,” he told the team. “Be happy that you have made the Iranian nation happy.” Throughout the Ayatollah’s time, players – heroes to millions – had to be careful what they said. Vital games have taken place amid protests at home, such as the 2010 World Cup qualifier in Seoul when several players donned green armbands, the colour of the opposition candidate in a presidential election many thought was rigged (the incumbent president and Khamenei’s man was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – also reportedly killed in Saturday’s strikes – who really was a fan. He would turn up at national team training, give advice, and in 2009 lent the presidential plane to get the players back from a qualifier in North Korea for a game in Tehran ...