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Iran 'Retires' Soccer Players Over Protest

Banned for life for wristbands showing Mousavi support

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 23, 2009 1:18 PM CDT

(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)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
justme
Jun 23, 2009 11:36 AM CDT
If they ever get their passports back, or live to take an offer.
Newser001
Jun 23, 2009 8:49 AM CDT
' A website said the politician bribed the players to wear the color. ' Yeah, right...
Yourself
Jun 23, 2009 7:59 AM CDT
i really hope a pro team somewhere else picks up these four guys with a statement like "we're hiring them to play for us cause we believe in their rights as soccer players and they commitment to their country, we can only hope that will transcend itself on the field with a commitment to their new team"

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