November 18, 2016
A senior Iranian soccer official said Saturday the Islamic Republic has filed a formal protest with FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, over its recent decision to fine the Iranian football federation.
Iran formally lodged a protest with FIFA over its penalty of $46,200 for what it called “religious manifestations” during a World Cup qualifying game between Iran and South Korea at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium October 11, said Ali Kafashian, the vice-president of the Iranian Football Federation.
The match was held on Tasua, a major mourning holiday. In response to clerics angry over that schedule, Iran urged fans to wear black and chant religious slogans when the team scored. (See last week’s Iran Times, page 10.)
“We have clarified in our protest that the Iranian spectators’ actions during the match were all out of their religious and cultural beliefs, and not against FIFA directives. We have not paid the fine yet, waiting to see where our protest leads,” Kafashian said.
On November 3, FIFA said in a statement that Iran broke the rules against any political, religious or commercial manifestations at games, and fined the Iranian federation 45,000 Swiss francs ($46,200) for the misconduct.
Iran defeated South Korea 1-0 in the game.
