Protesting Iran footballers 'retired'
Updated on 24 June 2009
Iran imposes a life ban on four Iranian footballers who wore green wristbands during a recent World Cup game in protest against the country's election results.
A pro-government newspaper in Iran announced yesterday that Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Josein Ka'abi and Vahid Hashemian have been “retired” from football for their protest in last Wednesday's match in Seoul against South Korea.
Although most of the players obeyed instructions to remove the wristbands at half time, the Iranian captain, Mehdi Mahdavikia, wore his for the entire game.
Mahdavikia, who scored to eliminate the United States during the first round of the 1998 World Cup, is a sporting hero in Iran.
