Iran to Drop Tattooed Footballers From National Team
The Iranian football federation has been asked to drop tattooed players from the national team, a media report said.
Tehran, March 19: The Iranian football federation has been asked to drop tattooed players from the national team, a media report said. The Ethics Committee of Iran's Football Federation had issued repeated warnings to players, saying that having a tattoo was unprofessional, The Tehran Times reported on Monday.
The Iranian players, who have tattoos on their arms, always enter the playing field with long-sleeved tops. Ashkan Dejagah and Sardar Azmoon had been summoned by the Ethics Committee for revealing tattoos on their arms during Team Melli's games. Lionel Messi Scores Spectacular Hat-Trick to Power Barcelona to 4-1 Win Over Real Betis (Watch Video).
Iran considers athletes to be role models responsible for promoting "Islamic values" to the younger generation. Iranian state media often refers to tattoos as a symbol of "Westernisation" or part of a Western "cultural invasion" of the Islamic society.
"Tattoos on the bodies of players is against Iranian culture and is detrimental to our society," a top official said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2019 09:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).