Iran allegedly used soccer clubs to spy on citizens, opposition group urges FIFA to ban team before World Cup
EXCLUSIVE: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has allegedly used the country's soccer system to spy on citizens, potentially violating FIFA bylaws, according to a new report from a major opposition party.The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)'s U.S.office provided the report to Fox News Digital.
It outlines an alleged plot for Iran’s soccer federation and top clubs to be drawn into a broader state security apparatus, and that at least 15 IRGC commanders have been formally documented and identified in soccer club management.The NCRI, citing alleged official IRGC documents, accuses the IRGC of using clubs, stadium infrastructure and security-linked management posts to monitor fans, suppress dissenting athletes and violate FIFA rules on political interference.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe report alleges facial-recognition technology and other devices and tracking systems were used to monitor spectators.The report cites alleged internal Iranian security documents, including Tehran Province Security Council material from 2025 and a Sarallah Headquarters security plan from 2024.According to NCRI-US’s translations of those documents, officials discussed facial-recognition cameras at Azadi, Takhti and Shahr-e Qods stadiums; ticketing tied to Iran’s national civil-registration database; seat-by-seat mapping of spectators by national ID; monitoring and vetting of fan-club leaders; and designated police staging areas or quick-reaction units inside stadiums."It is highly critical for security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies to utilize and exploit the video surveillance cameras of the Azadi Complex during matches, given the constant potential for unpredictable security incidents.
It is highly conceivable that future riots and civil unrest could originate inside the sports stadiums," the report said, quoting the documents.Fox News Digital reached out to the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran’...