DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Iranian authorities said Tuesday that two former members of the national soccer team arrested this month in connection with nationwide protests have been released on bail.
The announcement came hours before Iran was set to play the United States 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.
Parviz Boroumand, a retired goalkeeper, was arrested nearly two weeks ago on charges of participating in protests in the capital, Tehran, and was accused of damaging property. Voria Ghafouri was arrested last week for “insulting the national soccer team and propagandizing against the government,” according to state-linked media….