Iranian footballers arrested at mixed-gender party

By Syed Zafar Mehdi

TEHRAN, Iran (AA) – Iranian authorities have arrested a group of current and former players at a mixed-gender party on the outskirts of Tehran.

The footballers associated with a prominent club from the Iranian capital were arrested on Saturday night during a mixed-gender party in the city of Damavand, 70 kilometers (43.5 mile) northeast of Tehran.

Local media cited the city prosecutor in Damavand as saying that some of them were found in an "abnormal state" due to the consumption of alcohol.

They were arrested by the police following complaints from neighbors and based on a judicial order, reports said.

The identity of the arrested footballers or the name of the club they represent has not been revealed so far.

Iranian law does not permit Muslims to consume banned substances, including alcohol, and mixed-gender parties are also forbidden under the post-1979 revolution laws.

It comes amid widespread protests in the country in recent months over the death of a 22-year-old woman while in police custody.

Mahsa Amini had been detained by the morality police for not adhering to the Islamic dress code. Her death and subsequent protests prompted authorities to review the mandatory Hijab rule.

Importantly, many current and former Iranian footballers have either joined or supported the anti-government protests in recent months, with some of them even receiving summons from judicial authorities.

Last week, the family of former Iranian footballer, Ali Daei, was prevented from leaving Iran after a Dubai-bound flight they were traveling in was ordered to land on Kish Island in southern Hormozgan province.

State media, citing “informed sources”, said Daei’s wife had been barred from leaving the country by judicial authorities “due to her activities in calling for strikes.”