Amir Nasr-Azadani, 26, who played for Iran's Traktor and Sepahan teams, was arrested on November 18 during protests in the city of Isfahan and convicted of "rebellion against the state or the Islamic ruler," the Islamic Republic's state news agency reported. According to the text of the Iranian penal code, this charge can lead to the death penalty.
This means the athlete could join more than a dozen other people on death row for participating in large-scale anti-government protests.
Dutch organization FIFPRO, the international body representing footballers' unions, said on Twitter that it was "shocked and astounded" by reports of Nasr Azadani's plight.
The footballer is one of 20 people arrested during the protests who have either been formally sentenced to death or face execution because their crimes could carry capital punishment, according to human rights group Amnesty International.
Iran has been gripped by protests since the death in September of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in custody after being arrested for allegedly violating Islamic dress codes. The protests were the largest popular uprising the theocracy has faced to date.
Oslo-based Human Rights in Iran reports that at least 458 people, including at least 63 children and 29 women, were killed by security forces during the riots.
So far, two people - Mohsen Shekari and Majidreza Rahnavard, both aged 23 - have been hanged after what Amnesty called "fast track and sham trials."
Shekari was accused of blocking traffic during the protests and stabbing a plainclothes Islamic militia member of Iran. Rahnavard, who was executed just 12 days after the start of the trial, was accused of killing two members of the militia.
Eleven others have been sentenced to death and could be hanged "at any moment", according to Amnesty.
FIFPRO is shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran after campaigning for women’s rights and basic freedom in his country.
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) December 12, 2022
We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment. pic.twitter.com/vPuylCS2ph