Iran’s President wants to lift the ban on working for Daei

Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian has called for the work ban on Iran’s football legend Ali Daei to be lifted. As the daily newspaper “Etemad”, which is close to the presidential office, reports, Peseschkian has instructed his sports minister to lift the ban in order to enable Daei to return to football. Observers see this as an attempt by the president to calm the political and economic protests in the country.

The former Bundesliga professional fell from grace after he supported the women’s movement “Woman, Life, Freedom” in 2022 and sharply criticized the Islamic system. In addition to being banned from working and leaving the country, his restaurant in Tehran was also sealed at short notice. Since then, he has enjoyed great popularity in the country not only as a footballer but also as a government critic.

“Ten horses wouldn’t take me there”

In an initial reaction, however, Daei ruled out a return to the football business. “Not interested,” he said. According to media reports, he was even discussed as a candidate for the office of football association president – but he categorically rejected that too. “Ten horses wouldn’t take me there,” said the 55-year-old. However, sports experts believe that a return to his club Persepolis Tehran, which is currently in a sporting crisis, is possible.

Daei was captain and head coach of the Iranian national team, champion coach in the league with Saipa Tehran and played in the Bundesliga between 1997 and 2002 for Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich and Hertha BSC Berlin. In 1999 he was named Asia’s Footballer of the Year. With 108 goals, he is the third most successful international goalscorer in the world. Today he owns several sports shops and a restaurant in Tehran and is considered a successful entrepreneur.