Shakira Highlights Iranian Soccer Player on Death Row Amid World Cup Final

While soccer lovers worldwide tuned in to watch the World Cup final between Argentina and France on Sunday, Shakira used her social media platform to shine a spotlight on an Iranian soccer player on death row.

Amir Nasr-Azadani, 26, is reportedly facing potential execution after he participated in a pro-women’s rights demonstration in Iran. The protest, which took place on September 16 and saw three security agents die, was decried as an “armed riot” by the country’s government, according to the blog Deadspin.

The singer urged her fans in a Sunday morning tweet to remember Nasr-Azadani’s plight.

“Today at the final of the World Cup, I only hope the players on the field and the whole world remembers that there’s a man and fellow footballer called Amir Nasr, on death row, only for speaking in favor of Women’s rights,” she wrote.

Today at the final of the World Cup, I only hope the players on the field and the whole world remembers that there’s a man and fellow footballer called Amir Nasr, on death row, only for speaking in favor of Women’s rights. pic.twitter.com/VdMicGVaml

— Shakira (@shakira) December 18, 2022

The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer added in a follow-up tweet: “I hope there’s more than a minute of silence in our hearts to remember what’s important and more than one voice united screaming for what is just.”

I hope there’s more than a minute of silence in our hearts to remember what’s important and more than one voice united screaming for what is just.

— Shakira (@shakira) December 18, 2022

Argentina took home the World Cup prize on penalties in its match against France on Sunday. The latter country had previously won the championship four years ago.

Meanwhile, authorities arrested Nasr-Azadani in November, according to the New York Post. The Iranian soccer player also faces allegations of “waging war against God,” and is reportedly set to be hanged for protesting the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was beaten by morality police after she was arrested for an alleged hijab-wearing violation.

Nasr-Azadani’s potential execution hasn’t sat well with his peers. FIFPRO, the global union for pro-soccer players, blasted reports of the news in a tweet last Monday.

“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,” the organization wrote. “We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment.”

Singer Shakira is seen at the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 25. Inset, Iranian soccer player Amir Nasr-Azadani. While soccer lovers worldwide tuned in to watch the World Cup final between Argentina and France on Sunday, Shakira used her social media platform to shine a spotlight on the Iranian soccer player on death row.LOIC VENANCE/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES; AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Shakira is a three-time Grammy winner, but the star is facing some legal woes of her own. Newsweek reported in September that the Colombian-born singer was ordered to stand trial in Spain over allegations of tax fraud.

Spanish authorities have said that Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, neglected to pay some 14.5 million euros in taxes (nearly $15.4 million) between 2012 and 2014. Prosecutors have pushed for her to spend a little more than eight years behind bars, in addition to being fined millions of euros.

Newsweek reached out to a representative for Shakira for additional comment.