Iran Fines Football Player for Hugging Female Fan for 3 Seconds

The Football Federation of Iran has temporarily suspended and fined a goalkeeper in the Islamic Republic's premier league for hugging a female fan who jumped onto the field.

Hossein Hosseini, the Esteghlal FC goalkeeper, faced disciplinary action from the federation's committee for the swift hug. 

The committee deemed his actions "unprofessional and beyond the legal duties of a player," leading to a fine of three billion rials, equivalent to around $4,500. He was also suspended for one match.

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Following the announcement of the penalty, he expressed his willingness to pay the fine.

"I will pay the fine, for the sake of that that woman fan," he said.

However, the situation escalated further as Iran's official news agency, IRNA, reported that Hosseini could face additional penalties for saying that, and he was fined again. 

The incident occurred last week when the female fan, without a hijab, breached security measures and approached Hosseini on the field.

Despite the stadium security's efforts to restrain her, she managed to reach the goalkeeper, who briefly hugged her and attempted to calm her down.

However, security personnel swiftly intervened, removing the fan and Hosseini from the field.

The fine imposed on Hosseini has sparked significant criticism from former footballers and social media users alike.

"In what legal framework should one face a ban for a compassionate act towards a 13-14-year-old girl who is simply a football enthusiast?" asked Mansour Rshidi, former goalkeeper of Iran's national football team

"Why was there no repercussion when that man [former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] hugged the mother of the late Venezuelan president [Hugo Chávez]?" he said.

"Why should a footballer be penalized for such a humane gesture?" he added.

Mehr news agency reported that Esteghlal fans urged Hosseini to provide a bank account number so they could contribute towards paying the fine.

The incident has reignited debates over the presence of women in Iranian football stadiums.

One recent key event that symbolizes the clash between politics and religious extremism was the death of Sahar Khodayari, dubbed the "Blue Girl," in 2019.

She became known internationally after setting herself on fire in protest against women being banned from attending sports events. 

In March 2019, Sahar Khodayari arrived at Tehran's Azadi Stadium, hoping to watch the Asian Champions League match between Esteghlal and Al-Ain.

Police arrested her, and she spent three days in custody while her family raised a bail amount of 50 million tomans.

Upon her release, she was given a court order to attend a hearing in September of the following year.

However, on the day of the trial, the judge failed to appear, and Khodayari was told in the courthouse corridors that she would be sentenced to between six months and two years' imprisonment.

As she emerged from the courthouse, she covered herself in gasoline and set herself on fire.