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Iran's football has been plagued by substantial safety and security problems. This paper argues that these problems represent to some extent the adverse effects of the repressive policies the government has adopted towards football. First, football matches have become focal points for social and political protests. Second, attempts to control football by limiting its commercialization have facilitated underinvestment in stadium safety. Third, the repressive policing of football crowds is likely to escalate football related riots. We provide support for these ideas on the base of a qualitative case study. Iranian football will need some fundamental reforms to escape the vicious circle of repression and conflict escalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]