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.
The story you just read is accessible and free to all because thousands of listeners and readers contribute to our nonprofit newsroom. We go deep to bring you the human-centered international reporting that you know you can trust. To do this work and to do it well, we rely on the support of our listeners. If you appreciated our coverage this year, if there was a story that made you pause or a song that moved you, would you consider making a gift to sustain our work through 2024 and beyond?