Iran’s team goal blocked after hugging a supporter

Iranian team goalie Hossein Hosseini has been suspended for one game after hugging a supporter. The Iranian Association’s Disciplinary Committee (FFI) also imposed a fine of three billion riyals (approx. 7,000 euros) on Wednesday evening, as the football portal Varsesch3 reported.

The background to the FFI’s unusual decision was the first division game Esteghlal Teheran against Aluminum Arak last Friday. Since a limited number of women have been allowed in football stadiums in Iran for several weeks, there were hundreds of female fans in the stadium for this game. Shortly before the end of the game, one of the supporters stormed onto the field and hugged Esteghlal goalkeeper Hosseini. In Iran it is generally forbidden to touch women who are not members of the immediate family.

“What should I have done, she just hugged me,” Hosseini said after the game. He said he was surprised and was simply trying to prevent the groundskeepers from using violence against the young woman.

It was the first time in Iranian football history that a female fan stormed onto the field and the football association made such a decision. Observers assumed that the ban and fine against the 31-year-old goalie would trigger harsh protests and that this could lead to the decision being revised.

2024-04-17 19:22:51
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