WATCH: Controversy as Iranian goalkeeper banned and fined ₦14.8 MILLION for ‘hugging female fan without hijab’ for just 3 seconds

Hossein Hosseini: An Iranian goalkeeper was punished for quickly embracing a female fan without a hijab during a league match.

In a recent development that made headlines, Iranian goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini sparked controversy over his gesture towards fanatical fans on the field.

The Esteghlal captain and goalkeeper were punished for approaching a female fan.

The incident in question occurred during Esteghlal's 1-0 win over Arak Aluminum on April 12, when a female fan's hijab slipped, forcing her to approach the field.

The saga of Hosseini Hosseini embraces: what happened?

According to the video clip that was widely circulated, Hosseini (31 years old) tried to reach a female fan who approached the side of the field.

The woman's ponytail became visible when her hijab slipped while confronting security.

Al-Husseini intervened in reference to the decline in security because there was no clear threat.

He quickly embraced her, defying Islamic law regarding intercourse between the sexes, and calmly patted her shoulders, before security intervened again and removed the guard.

Ultimately, the Esteghlal player, who participated in 11 matches with the Iranian national team, was escorted off the field amid a minor scuffle.

In response, some fans threw objects at security personnel as they led Hosseini away, while they applauded him and the fan as they exited the stadium.

Reports indicate that spectators remained visibly agitated, chanting “shame on you” at security personnel who remained in the stadium.

After Hosseini's departure, several Esteghlal teammates intervened, with one offering his shirt to the fan in question.

Watch the video below:

This is not new because France also banned female football players from playing wearing the hijab.

Hussein Hosseini: The popular reaction and the union’s reaction

Following the embrace, the Iranian Football Federation moved quickly to punish Hosseini, citing his actions as “unprofessional” and in violation of current regulations.

According to a report by Iran International News, Hosseini was slapped with a hefty fine of around 6.2 million yen ($4,800) and was suspended for one match.

Since the 1979 revolution, women in Iran have been required to wear the hijab, or head covering, although many Muslim women globally see this as a personal choice.

In addition, FIFA has consistently urged the Iranian Football Federation to allow female spectators into stadiums.

In a historic step in 2019, women were allowed to attend, despite significant resistance to the policy change.

The aforementioned channel also revealed that Hosseini, expressing his insistence, stated that he would pay the fine, claiming that “three billion riyals to encourage independence is worth it.”

Despite Hosseini's public statement that he was willing to pay the fine for the fan, more backlash followed.

Reports indicate that the authorities considered his comments unfavorable, and are also considering imposing additional sanctions on the goalkeeper.

The Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, launched a campaign demanding further sanctions against Hosseini over his comments, resulting in an additional fine of 300 million rials (8.6 million yen).

The punitive measures also sparked a strong reaction, with Mansour Al-Rashidi, the former national team goalkeeper, questioning the fairness of the punishment, especially in contrast to the treatment of other public figures.

Rashidi was quoted as saying: “Why the silence and not imposing any punishment when former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad embraced the mother of the Venezuelan president?”

This situation has already sparked renewed conversations about women going to stadiums in Iran, a topic that many people are still discussing and criticizing around the world.