PLDC - Omid Reza Ravankhah, head coach of Iran’s U-23 national football team, openly expressed his support for the Iranian people and the national uprising against the Islamic Republic following the match against Lebanon in the Asian Championship.
In a press conference, Ravankhah said: “Unfortunately, for many years the management of many affairs in my country has been at the lowest possible level, and people are not allowed to protest in any way. I want to be the voice of my people, who have endured many hardships in recent days.”
He added: “I wished my team had advanced to the next stage and then I could say these words. We are part of the same society, and it is extremely painful that our people are not even allowed to protest the difficulties of their lives.”
Appearing in black clothing during the match and press conference, Ravankhah continued:
“Certainly, my players and I come from the same society and have always stood beside our people. It is my social duty to stand with them, regardless of the consequences for me. I hope their voices will be heard, because we deserve a much better life with less stress.”
He also expressed hope that his players would follow the right path both professionally and morally and become positive influences in society in the near future.
It is worth noting that the team manager of the U-23 national team in this tournament is Reza Naghipour, former protocol chief at the presidential office during Ebrahim Raisi’s administration and a security figure in Iranian football, who had previously threatened former national team captain Ali Karimi with death.
