DUBAI: Former Iran international footballer Ali Karimi has been the target of a kidnapping attempt by the Tehran regime, according to British newspaper The Times. The 43-year-old Dubai-based ex-player has in recent weeks become a major critical voice against the Iranian government’s handling of the protests sweeping the country. Earlier this month he was charged in absentia
Iranian and U.S. wrestlers were supposed to face off in a match in Texas, but the Iranian federation says it decided not to travel to the United States after six members, including federation chief Alireza Dabiri, were denied visas. Dabiri recently created controversy by making anti-U.S. comments.