(Image source: NBC Sports)


You’re watching multisource global video news analysis from Newsy


BY MARC STEIDLER

Talk about “cheeky” -- In Iran, two soccer players are suspended indefinitely, fined $40,000, and could face public lashings for celebrating a goal-- like this:

“Iran’s most popular team, Persepolis, was celebrating a goal...apparently it’s ok to kiss, but don’t try this -- Yikes! Number 13 jumped and so did the video -- to YouTube.

Homosexuality is a punishable offense in Iran, which is why a criminal court judge told an Iranian news agency the love tap was a violation of public chastity.

“[He] says soccer players..."committed an act against public morality" during their jubilant on-field celebration of a goal, and they should be sentenced to imprisonment and 74 lashes.”

On Fox News, guests on Red Eye had differing views on if the pinch is punishable.

“Courtney you said you were OK with the players being fined, which I don’t really understand. Bill, you couldn’t understand why the guy who got violated is getting in trouble, which I completely agree with. But then you said quote, ‘The other guy should definitely get lashed.’”

The butt squeeze was so outrageous by Iranian standards, The Daily Mail reports members of Parliament even weighed in.
 
“A cleric and member of Parliament called it a ‘shameless act’ and added that it had ‘upset, angered and outraged’ all sports fans.”

According to The Washington Post-- social values and norms have changed in Iran in the past decade -- thanks to Internet access and more connections to the outside world. This has public figures walking a tightrope.

“The increased openness has triggered a backlash, with the country’s ruling Shiite Muslim clerics doing all they can to control public spaces and state TV and to make an example of those who step out of line.”

Iran’s football association web site claims the ban is indefinite because a final decision won’t be made until quote “other authorities” are consulted.
 
 
Transcript by Newsy.

Sports News: Iran Bans Players for Butt Squeeze

Iranian Soccer Players Fined For Butt-Squeeze Celebration

November 3, 2011
(1:58)
The Iranian football federation bans two players indefinitely for their butt-squeeze celebration. The players could also face public lashings.
   
TRANSCRIPT

To leave a comment, please log in with Facebook Connect or your Newsy account. Register here to create one.
MOST RECENT|MOST POPULAR|MOST COMMENTED|HIGHEST RATED

Pope's Butler Arrested Over Leaked Vatican Documents
The Pope's butler is accused of leaking confidential Vatican files to Italian media.
(1:35)
May 26, 2012
Alternate Juror Flirts with John Edwards
A female juror has been outwardly flirting with John Edwards during his trial - and Edwards has actually been responding.
(1:17)
May 26, 2012
Top News Headlines: Obama to Honor Vets on Memorial Day
More headlines: Memorial Day gas prices lower, yet still high; Experts suspicious of Iran's nuke program; Southeast braces for Beryl.
(1:25)
May 26, 2012
49ers' QB Smith Criticized for Cam Newton Comments
Smith downplayed the Panther's QB's accomplishments last year, which wasn't too popular with Newton's teammates.
(2:04)
May 26, 2012
Syrian Crisis Continues with Massacre in Houla
An attack on the Syrian town of Houla killed at least 90 people on Saturday, including around 25 children.
(1:28)
May 26, 2012
New York School Cancels Prom Condom Giveaway
A high school in New York planned to give out 500 condoms at prom to promote safe sex, but the principal changed his mind.
(1:55)
May 26, 2012
10-year-old Regains Hearing with Cochlear Implant
The implant works like a traditional hearing aid, but with higher auditory success.
(1:49)
May 26, 2012
Video from Google's Project Glass Released
Google released the first video from its Project Glass reality headset.
(1:15)
May 26, 2012
Top News Headlines: At Least 90 Dead in Syrian Attacks
More headlines: Drone strike kills suspected militants; Shooting spree in Finland; Pope's butler arrested.
(1:21)
May 26, 2012
Facebook Looking to Build Own Browser?
The social media giant may be interested in acquiring Opera Software, and grabbing their own browser in the process.
(1:29)
May 26, 2012
Nearly One Third Of Olympic Tickets Remain Unsold
Nearly a third of the London 2012 Olympic event tickets remain unsold.
(1:29)
May 26, 2012
Skydiver Survives Jump Without Parachute
A video of Gary Connery skydiving from 2,400 feet in the air without a parachute has gone viral.
(1:49)
May 26, 2012
15-Year-Old Boy Invents New Way to Detect Cancer
A 15-year-old Maryland boy won a $75,000 prize for inventing a dipstick sensor that can detect pancreatic cancer.
(1:53)
May 26, 2012
Prehistoric Flutes Date Back 40,000 Years
When scientists reanalyzed prehistoric artifacts from Germany, they discovered modern humans may have been in Europe earlier than previously thought.
(1:43)
May 26, 2012

Newsy

www1