Mohammad Nosrati, Sheys Rezaei Face Public Lashings, Iranian Prison for ‘Immoral’ Goal Celebration

Mohammad Nosrati and Sheys Rezaei face grave punishment for their "immoral" goal celebration in an Iranian soccer league game last Saturday. The Washington post reports the players could be fined, imprisoned and whipped 74 times for celebrating their team's winning goal.

"This action can be considered a violation of public chastity," Judge Valiollah Hosseini told Fars News Agency. "The punishment of this crime is prison up to two months and 74 lashes.

"It is even worse to do these actions before the eyes of thousands of spectators and TV cameras."

Nosrati and Rezaei play for popular Tehran club Persepolis. They were were celebrating the winning goal in its victory over Damash Gilan, when Nosrati squeezed Razaei's backside.

The game was broadcast live on state television and politicians, judges and soccer officials have called for the players to be punished. 

Iran's soccer federation already suspended the players indefinitely. They also fined them $40,000 each. "Other authorities" will consider further punishment. The potential lashings would take place on the field at Damash Gilan’s stadium.

Photo via Flickr/George M. Groutas