Iran suspends two soccer players for “immoral” celebration
Iranian players (L-R) Mohammad Khalatbari, Andranik Teymourian and Javad Nekounam celebrate after scoring a goal against Bahrain during their 2014 World Cup Asian zone qualifying football match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on October 11, 2011.
Two Iranian soccer players have been suspended from the country's professional soccer league for "immoral" goal celebrations, the Associated Press reports.
Citing Iranian state TV, the AP says that the incident occurred Saturday, during a nationally televised game between Persepolis and Damash Gilan. Player Mohammed Nosrati apparently "squeezed the backside of teammate Sheis Rezaei" after a goal. After another goal, Rezaei apparently was seen "squeezing" a teammate.
The players say they did not intend to offend, but both were indefinitely banned from entering stadiums.
AFP reports that both "officials and commentators" condemned the players' actions.
"Nosrati and Rezaei have been banned indefinitely from all football activities for committing immoral acts," Ismail Hasanzadeh, head of Iranian football federation's disciplinary committee, said to Iranian state TV, according to AFP.
The players also face fines of nearly $40,000.
Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.
Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.