Iran footballers warned about posing for selfies with expatriate women in Australia

Published:  19 Jan at 4 PM
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Tagged: Visas, Australia
Iranian footballers have been warned about posing for selfies with female fans at the Asian Cup finals in Australia.

Australia is home to around 70,000 expats from Iran, and the buzz about the three-time Asian champions playing in the country has drawn many fans, male and female, to the stadiums to cheer them on.

However, in Iran, women fans are not allowed to attend men’s games because of the sex segregation regulations – laws that do not apply in other countries. This, in addition to the fact that the strict female dress code is non-existent in Australia, has resulted in Iranian women attending games to cheer their heroes on while dressed for the Australian summer.

There have also been numerous instances of players posing for selfies with their female fans, which has not gone down well with the authorities back home. Indeed, the Iranian Football Federation’s (IFF) disciplinary committee has now sent the team an official warning telling them to stop doing so.

IFF chief Ali Akbar Mohamedzade noted that the players were not permitted to pose for photos with the female fans, highlighting the fact that the women could later use the pictures for political ransom against Iran. He added that if the players did not follow their instructions, they would be dealt with.

Images of women deemed to be “inappropriately dressed” have been censored in Iran because, according to Mohamedzade, they were wearing clothes considered against the moral principles. He said that Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz had been contacted about the situation, but denied he had giving his blessing for the photos to be posted online.

Iran have started the tournament well, defeating Bahrain and Qatar in their first two group games.
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