[68493] A moving tribute: Arsenal fans remember Aref Jafarzadeh, who was killed in protests in Iran

A tribute to the memory of an Arsenal fan killed in Iran

During the celebrations of Arsenal's English Premier League championship win, moving moments were recorded as fans in Britain chose to commemorate the memory of Aref Jafarzadeh, a fan of the club who was killed during the protests in Iran. According to reports by Iran International Sport, a channel known for its critical stance toward the regime in Tehran, the video that reached the editorial staff shows Iranian fans alongside local fans mentioning the name of Jafarzadeh as part of the celebrations.

Aref Jafarzadeh, 34 from the city of Rasht, was shot to death on January 18, 2026, during popular protests against the Islamic Republic. According to Iran International TV, which serves as a major media outlet for the Iranian opposition in exile, Jafarzadeh took to the streets while wearing the club's shirt following the call of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.

The reports emphasize that Jafarzadeh's story received wide resonance among the Arsenal fan community in Britain, who decided to incorporate his figure into the victory celebrations. As noted in the broadcast by journalist Edin Mukimi on Iran International, this is a tribute that highlights the personal and political connection formed between the Iranian fans and the club's international fan community.