PLDC - According to reports, Omid Ravankhah, head coach of Iran’s U-23 national football team, was briefly detained and questioned upon his arrival in Tehran from Dubai. Security forces reportedly confiscated his passport and later allowed him to leave the airport.
Ravankhah has been instructed to report to a security agency the following day.
Reza Naghipour, an agent of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and the manager of the national U-23 football team
According to the same reports, Reza Naghipour, manager of Iran’s U-23 national team—who had previously threatened former national team captain Ali Karimi with death—has now threatened Ravankhah over his public support for the Iranian people.
On January 12, 2026 (23 Dey 1404), during a post-match press conference following Iran’s game against Lebanon at the AFC U-23 Asian Championship, Ravankhah openly expressed his support for the Iranian national uprising against the Islamic Republic, stating: “It is my social duty to stand with my people under these circumstances. No matter the consequences for me, I hope their voices will be heard.”
He added: “Unfortunately, for many years the management of many aspects of life in my country has been at the lowest possible level, and people are not allowed to protest in any way. From here, I want to be the voice of my people, who have endured many hardships in recent days.”
