IRAN dictator and sport:Iran football players apparently sacked over protest display

IRAN football and politic: Iran bans election protest footballers - dictator and sport:Iran football players apparently sacked over protest display
Iran football players apparently sacked over protest display
Updated: Wednesday, June 24, 2009
11:30GMT—7:30AM/EST

Washington, 24 June (WashingtonTV)—Four members of Irans national football team have been retired from the team, after they wore green wristbands in support of the countrys opposition movement during a match last week, reports said on Tuesday.

The four players Ali Karimi, 31, Mehdi Mahdavikia, 32, Hosein Kaabi, 24, and Vahid Hashemian, 32 were among at least six Iranian players, who wore green wristbands during the first half of a 17 June match in Seoul against South Korea.

The players removed the wristbands at halftime, because FIFA the sports world governing body prohibits any political displays, reports the New York Times.

Green was the campaign color of defeated presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, and has been adopted by protesters who believe that the 12 June election was rigged.

According to the London-based Guardian newspaper, the four players are also said to have been banned from giving media interviews.

In addition, none of the members of the national team were given back their passports upon returning to Tehran.

Hashemian and Mahdavikia both play for teams in Germany.

At the same time, some reports said that the players are retiring voluntarily, reportedly because of their age.

Karimi and Mahdaviki had earlier announced plans to quit the national team soon because of their age, the Associated Press reports.

Sources: New York Times, Guardian newspaper, Associated Press

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[Newstartfordave28]

aint that the truth score for the team iran leader

[atozare]

just not a right song. not the best. sorry.

[RomanicusMaximus]

Mullahs are worry, boy, the full team may have defected to Africa, lol. Anywhere is better than in Iran.