Ali Daei held the record for the highest number of in international goals until 2021 when Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed him. He said his family's fight out of Tehran was rerouted after he had publicly backed recent protests.
A record-breaking Iranian footballer who criticised the authorities' crackdown on anti-regime protesters has said his family were prevented from leaving the country.
Ali Daei, who scored 109 international goals for Iran, the most for any country before Cristiano Ronaldo broke his record, said his wife and daughter were questioned by officials after a flight they were on was diverted. They left the Iranian capital of Tehran legally, the former footballer said, before their plane made an unscheduled stop on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf.
Daei, 53, said his daughter was released but the aircraft doors had already closed by then. His family were planning to travel to Dubai and return next week, he said.He had his passport briefly confiscated after returning home earlier this year. On social media, the former team captain had urged the government to"solve the problems of the Iranian people rather than using repression, violence and arrests".
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Iran protests: Family of football legend Ali Daei stopped from leavingThe wife and daughter of Ali Daei, who has backed protesters, are taken off a flight out of Iran.
Read more »
Former Leeds United star forced to shut barThe Celeb Love Island fave has been forced into the decision
Read more »
Nicola Roberts supported by Girls Aloud band mates at Strictly Christmas specialNicola Roberts has been showered with support by her Girls Aloud band mates, Cheryl, Nadine Coyle and Kimberley Walsh as she prepares for the Strictly Christmas special ❤️️ 🎅
Read more »
COVID R number: UK to stop publishing virus modelling data after nearly three yearsSince April 2021, the R number only referred to England rather than the UK as a whole, and since April 2022, it has been updated fortnightly instead of every week.
Read more »
UK to stop publishing COVID modelling data after nearly three yearsSince April 2021, the R number only referred to England rather than the UK as a whole, and since April 2022, it has been updated fortnightly instead of every week.
Read more »