Iran Keeper is 'BANNED and Fined £3,800' after Being Pushed Away for Hugging a Female Fan from niqab hijab burka Watch Video

⏲ Duration: 1:15
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✓ Published: 23-Apr-2024

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An Iranian goalkeeper has been handed a fine and one-match suspension after hugging a female fan, who was being chased by security for reportedly not wearing the compulsory hijab.<br/><br/>Hossein Hosseini, goalkeeper for Esteghlal - one of the top teams in Iran - has been reprimanded by the Iranian football federation after he embraced a fan who had made her way to the side of the pitch. <br/><br/>Hijabs, or headscarves, have been compulsory for women in Iran since the 1979 revolution, enforcing what is widely considered by many Muslim women around the world to be a matter of choice.<br/><br/>Footage shows the moment when the fan made her way onto the pitch with her hair showing after her hijab had fallen, where she was accosted by security. <br/><br/>Hosseini can then be seen making his way over and appearing to gesture for the security to step away as there was no danger and embraced the fan. <br/><br/>However further security guards then raced to the scene and pulled Hosseini away from the supporter and escorted him off the pitch while a small scuffle broke out. <br/><br/>Fans in the stands appeared to throw objects at security as they escorted Hosseini away and seemed to applaud the fans and Hosseini as he left the field under escort. <br/><br/>According to reports, spectators continued to seemingly gesture angrily and allegedly chant 'shame on you' at the security guards as they remained on the field. <br/><br/>After Hosseini had been guided away from the field, several of his Esteghlal teammates approached the scene, one of whom gave the fan his shirt. <br/><br/>The fan then ran towards a corner of the ground that seemed predominantly made up of female supporters, whirling the shirt above her head in celebration as the rest of the stadium cheered her back to her seat as she pulled her hijab back on. <br/><br/>According to Iranian publication Khabar Varzeshi, Hosseini - who has played 11 times for the national team - was handed a fine of around £3,800 and a ban for one game for his actions, which were reportedly deemed 'unprofessional and beyond the legal duties of a player'.<br/><br/>The Esteghlal captain then reportedly made a public comment after being called into the federation disciplinary committee to explain himself, allegedly saying: 'I will pay the fine, for the sake of that lady'. <br/><br/>Yet reports suggest that these comments did not go down well, with the IRNA - Iran's official news agency - reporting that Hosseini could face a further penalty due to his public comments.