Iran: Explanations Demanded For Soccer Players’ Tattoos
Ashkan Dejagah and Sardar Azmoon, two strikers on Iran’s National Football team, have been summoned by the Ethics Committee of the Iranian Football Federation for revealing tattoos on their arms during the team’s visit with Guam’s football team.
According to the Federation newspaper, the two players have been called on to explain the tattoos on their bodies.
Ashakan Dejagah, who always entered the playing field with long-sleeved tops, wore a short-sleeved shirt in the team’s match-up with Guam, revealing tattoos on his arms. Sardar Azmoon also had tattoos on his wrists.
The Iranian Football Federation is highly concerned about the appearance of the players on the field, and while tattoos have become common among football players around the world, Iranian players are warned against getting them.
Dejagah and Azmoon are supposed to appear before the Ethics Committee on September 8, after the team meets India as part of the preliminary games for the World Cup. If they cannot appear before the committee due to their club games, then Afshin Peyrovani, the head of the National Team, will have to appear on their behalf.
The head of the Ethics Committee has been quoted as saying: “A dignified person does not get tattoos. Tattoos are for prisoners and for uncultured and uncouth individuals.”
In an interview with the Cup website, Ali Akbar Mohammadzadeh confirmed that Dejagah and Azmoon had been summoned, saying: “Tattoos on the bodies of players is against Iranian culture and is detrimental to our society.”
He added that so far they have been lenient regarding tattoos, but have now decided to take a firmer stand against them.
Iran’s National Football Team won 6-0 against Guam on September 3 as part of the preliminary games for the 2018 World Cup. Dejagah scored one of the goals and Azmoon scored two.
