'These are just kids... at risk of execution'

FOOTBALLERS in Iran as young as 19 are being deliberately targeted by the country’s repressive regime and face execution, it is claimed.

- BY ANDY LINES and SAM KUNTI

But there has been no response from the game's world ruling body, Fifa, to demands that it steps in to put pressure on Iranian authorities to end the bloodshed.

There is desperate concern over two players in particular who are in Iranian jails facing the death penalty.

Amir Ghaderzadeh is a 19-year-old striker for topflight club Sepahan Isfahan and Mohammed Hossein Hosseini, 26, played for Persepolis.

Hosseini was banned from playing after taking part in anti-government protests, in which an estimated 30,000 people have been killed.

The pair have become symbols for a generation of footballers and athletes who are victims of the regime.

Iran is one of 48 teams to qualify for the football World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the US in June and July.

University research fellow in sports and social sustainability, Zohreh Abdollahkhani, said: “They are at imminent risk of execution.

REPRESSION