Iranian legend Ali Daei will not be cheering on his nation in their opening World Cup clash with England - after declaring his support for the human rights protests currently taking place in his country.
Daei, 53, had his passport confiscated for speaking out after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of Iran's morality police in September.
The paperwork was returned to him after only a week, but the striker who scored 109 goals for his country during his career, then decided to turn down an invitation from FIFA to attend the tournament with his wife and two daughters to register his discontent.
