Iranian authorities say that a former member of the national soccer team arrested last week over his criticism of the government has been released on bail. The announcement came hours before Iran was set to play the US at the World Cup in a match that authorities are heavily promoting as they grapple with nationwide protests that are well into their third month. Voria Ghafouri was arrested last week for 'insulting the national soccer team and propagandizing against the government,' according to state-linked media.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-releases-jailed-soccer-player-ahead-of-match-against-us

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