Iran Football Federation Summons Player Who Hugged A Female Fan

Ramin Rezaeian, a professional player for Esteghlal and the national team, has been called in by Iran football ethics committee after he hugged a female fan prior to a domestic league game.

“The ethics committee of the Football Federation of Iran has summoned Ramin Rezaeian,” local news agency Tasnim reported on Friday, December 27.

It happened on Thursday, December 26, prior to Esteghlal’s game versus Chadormalu in the province of Yazd. Regarding the issue, the football federation has not yet responded. Rezaeian, 34, has more than 60 international appearances for Iran and has played club football in Belgium and Qatar.

It is forbidden for unrelated men and women to have physical contact under Islamic law, which has been in effect in Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Following the revolution, women were mainly prohibited from going to football games, but current regulations have somewhat relaxed. The first time women were permitted to witness a championship match in more than 40 years was in August 2022.

In April, Esteghlal goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini was fined about $4,700 and suspended for one game for hugging a female fan during a championship game. The federation at the time also cited “bad behaviour towards security agents at the game” as a reason for its decision. This is not the first time a male football player has been punished for interacting with a female fan.