The Iranian Football Federation has summoned Ramin Rezaeian, a prominent footballer for Esteghlal and the national team, following an incident where he embraced a female fan before a domestic league match.
The move comes as part of the country’s strict adherence to Islamic law, which prohibits physical contact between unrelated men and women.
According to local news agency Tasnim, the summons was issued on Friday, December 27, 2024, after the incident occurred on Thursday, December 26, ahead of Esteghlal’s match against Chadormalu in Yazd province.
Rezaeian, 34, is a well-known player who has represented Iran over 60 times internationally and has played in clubs across Qatar and Belgium.
While the Football Federation of Iran has not yet provided further details, the incident has sparked debate on the evolving restrictions surrounding gender interactions in the country.
Under Islamic law, physical contact between unrelated men and women is prohibited, a rule that has been enforced since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Despite these strict laws, there have been recent shifts in the country’s policies.
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In August 2022, women were allowed to attend a football match for the first time in over four decades, although the rules surrounding their participation in football culture remain heavily regulated.
This is not the first time that a male footballer in Iran has faced consequences for interacting with female fans.
In April 2024, Esteghlal goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini was fined around $4,700 and handed a one-match suspension for hugging a female supporter during a championship match.
The Iranian Football Federation cited “bad behavior towards security agents” in addition to the physical contact as reasons for the penalty.
The latest summons of Rezaeian highlights the ongoing tension between Iran’s strict religious laws and the growing calls for greater gender equality in public spaces, particularly in sports.