A scandal surrounding members of Iran’s athletics team at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea has ignited widespread outrage in Iran, putting mounting ressure on Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali to step down.
On May 31, South Korean police arrested two Iranian athletes, Hossein Rasouli and Masoud Kamran, along with national team coach Amir Moradi, on charges of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old South Korean woman. The alleged incident occurred at the hotel where the Iranian delegation was staying in the city of Gumi. According to local reports, the woman met one of the athletes at a bar and was later taken to the hotel, where the assault is said to have taken place.
Media attention in South Korea
The case has been classified by South Korean authorities as ‘special rape,’ a legal category for group sexual assault that carries severe penalties. The arrests have generated significant media attention in South Korea and triggered widespread public anger. While no official statements from women’s rights groups have been released so far, the case has sparked heated debate on social media and in public discourse.
Separately, another Iranian athlete was arrested earlier during the same championships on uspicion of theft. While that individual was released after paying a fine, the incident added to the diplomatic embarrassment surrounding the Iranian delegation. Critics say the accumulation of misconduct reflects a failure of oversight and leadership at the highest levels of Iran’s sports administration.
Iranian athletes demand accountability
Back in Iran, the political fallout has been swift. While the government has not made any official statement, calls for the resignation of Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali have intensified on social media. The hashtag ‘Donyamali must resign‘ trended on June 3, and several civic activists have claimed symbolic protests took place in Tehran and other cities. Many Iranians view the scandal as the result of institutional neglect and a lack of professional and ethical standards in athlete selection and supervision.
Back in Tehran, the crisis spilled into the streets. On June 3, a group of Iranian track and field athletes, coaches, and their supporters gathered in front of the Ministry of Sport and Youth to protest the scandal and demand accountability. The protestors chanted against Federation President Ehsan Haddadi, calling for his immediate removal. While the demonstration remained largely peaceful, reports indicate that it was eventually dispersed by security forces. Footage of the protest has circulated online, amplifying calls for broader reform within Iran’s sports institutions.
Previous controversies during Donyamali tenure
Ahmad Donyamali, who was appointed Minister of Sport and Youth in 2024, has a background in sports administration and previously served as head of Iran’s Canoeing Federation and as a member of parliament. His critics accuse him of failing to professionalize the ministry, tolerating misconduct within national federations, and allowing political interference to shape national sport policy. Previous controversies during his tenure, including doping scandals and administrative disputes, had already placed him under scrutiny before this latest crisis.
The scandal comes at a time of broader political tension in Iran. President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration, which is facing a hardline-dominated parliament and growing public discontent over economic and social issues, has already seen several senior officials ousted or pressured to resign. Although Donyamali has not responded publicly, political observers suggest that the ministry may be forced to take visible action to contain the damage. For many, the question is no longer whether someone will be held accountable, but how far up the chain of command that accountability will reach.
