Iranian authorities have jailed former national team goalkeeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri following a social media post that strongly criticised the country’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
The Iranian judiciary confirmed the arrest through the Mizan news agency, stating that Mazaheri was detained after allegedly attempting to illegally cross the country’s western border. Authorities claimed he tried to leave Iran by disguising himself and bribing border officers.
Mazaheri, who represented Iran internationally and was part of the squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, had earlier shared a controversial Instagram post in February describing Khamenei as “only a dark and passing chapter” in Iran’s history. The post was later deleted.
The criticism came during a period of heightened political tension in Iran following nationwide protests and before the outbreak of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, during which Ali Khamenei was reportedly ed on the first day of the war.
According to reports from the Persian language news platform IranWire, security officials raided Mazaheri’s home shortly after the post surfaced online. His wife, Maryam Abdollahi, later revealed on Instagram that the former goalkeeper was being held in harsh solitary confinement in Urmia, located in northwestern Iran.
She described her husband as someone who always stood for what he believed in and said he was now suffering imprisonment because of his courage and political views.
However, the Mizan news agency denied claims of solitary confinement, insisting that Mazaheri was being held in a general prison ward. Authorities did not provide additional details about his condition or the duration of his detention.
Mazaheri spent much of his football career competing with Iran’s longtime first choice goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. He also played for several top domestic football clubs and earned recognition as one of the country’s experienced goalkeepers.
The arrest comes amid growing scrutiny of Iranian athletes and public figures, especially those who openly criticise the government. Former football captain Ali Karimi and ex national player Voria Ghafouri have also faced pressure from authorities over anti government statements and activities.
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