Tehran: Iranian defender Rezaeian faces disqualification for hugging a female fan

Esteghlal footballer summoned by ethics committee for violating Islamic law during a match. Similar incidents have already led to severe sanctions in the past

Ramin Rezaeian, a 35-year-old defender of Esteghlal, one of Tehran’s top football teams, is at the centre of a controversy that could cost him a disqualification and a fine. The incriminating incident occurred before the Persian Gulf Cup match against Chadormalu, which ended 0-0. The player allegedly hugged a female fan, a gesture considered a violation of Islamic law, which since 1979 has prohibited men from having physical contact with women outside their families.

The ethics committee has already summoned Rezaeian to assess the incident, and the player could face heavy penalties. This is not an isolated case: last April, Hossein Hosseini, goalkeeper of the same team, was punished for a similar incident. In addition to the disqualification, Hosseini was fined more than 4,000 Euros.

These episodes show how the restrictions of Islamic law in Iran continue to influence even the world of sport, with the authorities always ready to intervene in cases of behaviour considered inappropriate.

THE LATEST NEWS

[recent_post_slider design=”design-07″ show_author=”false” slider_height=”390″ lazyload=”progressive” limit=”6″ category=”11728″]

(Photo: © AndKronos)