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Iranian soccer star Amir Nasr-Azadani is facing the possibility of execution following his arrest during the ongoing women's rights protests in Tehran.
The 26-year-old participated in one of the nationwide protests on September 16. According to the sports blog Deadspin, the Iranian government called it an "armed riot."
Three security personnel were killed during the protest and the Iranian player also faces allegations of "waging war against God" and is reportedly set to be hanged.
A petition to stop the execution was raised on the protest site, Change.org, and it has almost reached its goal of 1.5 million signatures, which would place it at the top of the site's current biggest petitions.
The petition is titled: "Stop the execution of Amir Nasr-Azadani."
There is a short introduction to the details of the petition which was launched at the end of last week.
The petition states: "Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani could face execution.
"According to Iranwire, Amir Nasr-Azadani (26) was sentenced to death for 'treason' after showing his support for human rights and defending women's rights in his country. The international players' union Fifpro denounces the case: 'We stand in solidarity with Amir and demand that his sentence be lifted immediately.' Sign this petition for the Iranian regime to STOP the execution of footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani."
The decision in Nasr-Azadani's case has drawn worldwide condemnation in addition to global support for similar protests, which followed the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, in September.
She was allegedly beaten severely by Iran's morality police after she was arrested for an alleged hijab violation.
The beatings are believed to have caused her fatal head injury, although Iranian authorities have denied the accusation.
FIFPRO, a global union for pro soccer players, has expressed its disgust at the situation.
In a tweet last Monday, the organization wrote: "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.
"We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment," the tweet said.
The plight of Nasr-Azadani was highlighted by Colombian pop singer Shakira during the World Cup final between Argentina and France.
As Lionel Messi achieved his dream of lifting the FIFA World Cup, the singer told her fans about the Iranian player, tweeting: "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."
Shakira, who was married to Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué, followed up with another tweet that told her fans: "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."
The petitions that have had the most signatories on Change.org are some way from Nasr-Azadani's with Justice for George Floyd topping the site's most popular petitions with 19 million signatures.
Justice for Breona Taylor reached 11.4 million while Justice for Elijah McClain hit 5.4 million signatures.
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