Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


8

Iran 'Retires' Soccer Players Over Protest

Banned for life for wristbands showing Mousavi support

Share

(Newser) – Iran has barred four of its national soccer players from the field for life after they wore green wristbands during a match last week in apparent support of opposition presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, an Iranian pro-government newspaper said. Six players wore the bands; most took them off at halftime, the Guardian notes.

None of the team members got their passports back when they came home after playing South Korea; they are reportedly not permitted to talk to the press. Iranian media have tied the display to this weekend’s arrest of an opposition politician and former head of the country’s soccer governing body. A website said the politician bribed the players to wear the color.

Iran's national soccer team poses during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asia group 2 qualifying soccer match against South Korea at Seoul World Cup Stadium, June 17, 2009.
Iran's national soccer team poses during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asia group 2 qualifying soccer match against South Korea at Seoul World Cup Stadium, June 17, 2009.   (AP Photo)
This June 17, 2009, file photo shows South Korea's Kim Jung-woo, right, fighting for the ball against Mohammad Ali Karimi, wearing green wristbands, during their World Cup qualifying soccer match.
This June 17, 2009, file photo shows South Korea's Kim Jung-woo, right, fighting for the ball against Mohammad Ali Karimi, wearing green wristbands, during their World Cup qualifying soccer match.   (AP Photo)
Iran's Mohammad Ali Karimi, center, looks on as Iran's Mohammad Nosrati, right, and South Korea's Lee Chung-yong fight for the ball during the game.
Iran's Mohammad Ali Karimi, center, looks on as Iran's Mohammad Nosrati, right, and South Korea's Lee Chung-yong fight for the ball during the game.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
8 comments
VIEWING:
 
EddyTeach
Jun 23, 09 1:44 PM CDT
Three cheers for freedom of expression! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+6
IN RESPONSE:
Newser001
Jun 23, 09 3:49 PM CDT
' A website said the politician bribed the players to wear the color. ' Yeah, right...
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
EddyTeach
Jun 23, 09 1:45 PM CDT
Seriously, though. This is about to get really bad. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
dax
Jun 23, 09 1:47 PM CDT
After this totalitarian regime finishes its crack down, quashing any hope for reform , there will likely be a flood of citizens heading for the exits over the next decade. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
ultramagnus21
Jun 23, 09 1:50 PM CDT
Principle is everything. Iran is showing its courageous side and I have the utmost respect for that. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+4

View all 8 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

117 Stories

Iran Protest

Neda's Boyfriend: 'This Movement Will Never Die'

In hiding after fleeing Iran, says the movement is still strong

Nov 15, 09 12:48 PM CST
(Newser) - "I still cannot believe it. I think I will see Neda again," the boyfriend of the iconic slain Iranian protester tells the Guardian in his first interview since fleeing the country. "Now I have left Iran, I can cry out," says Caspian Makan, who was... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iran • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad • Iranian election • Mir Hossein Mousavi • Neda • Neda Agha Soltan • Neda Soltan • Caspian Makan

 Iranian Police Clash 
 With Protesters 

Tear gas, beatings mark 30th anniversary of US Embassy takeover

Nov 4, 09 6:34 AM CST
(AP) - Iranian security forces beat anti-government protesters with batons and fired tear gas today on the sidelines of state-sanctioned rallies in Tehran to mark the 30th anniversary of the US Embassy takeover. While pro-government demonstrators chanted "death to America" outside the former embassy, opposition marchers nearby cried "death to... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iran • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad • US Embassy • green revolution • protesters • Iranian election • Mir Hossein Mousavi • Iranian protests

Iran Students Hope to Reignite Smoldering Unrest

Green movement plans major protest tomorrow

Nov 3, 09 11:05 AM CST
(Newser) - Iranian students are planning a major protest tomorrow, their first in six weeks, hoping to turn an annual parade commemorating the taking of the US embassy in 1979 into an anti-government rally. Though largely forgotten by the media and discounted by Western policy makers, the so-called “green movement” that... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iran • student • Iranian politics • Iranian election • Mir Hossein Mousavi • Iranian protests

117 Stories


World  •  Sports 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
Iran • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad • soccer • protests • political demonstrations • protesters • Iranian election • Mir Hossein Mousavi • Iranian protests

from our news partners