A legend retired

[BoneDog]

Myabe he thinks the freedom of his country folk to choose their destiny is a little more important than playing football. Idiot.

The folk in his country are free to choose their destiny. The candidate who has the most support in Iran won the election. The one who has half of the capital only behind him (and powers outside of Iran) lost, but then caused loads of shit for his supporters (not himself) by telling them to come out and protest.

Is this definately true cos I heard that no action has been taken against the players? That was about 40 hours ago though

[BoneDog]

There are reports that the government has seized their passports to prevent them from leaving the country. It sounds as though they're making sure the decision taken to wear the wristbands costs him his career altogether.

False reports. I bet you they are abroad before you know it

[lou]

Surely if he moves abroad though he could continue to play. after all if he moves abroad then surely he is protected from the iranian governments interference because he would no longer be an iranian citizen and only the government of the country he moves to would be able to interfere with his career,

also surely the four players are protected by UN rules.

They have taken his passport!

I think they can and will do pretty much as they please. Im more concerned for his physical welfare right now than his football career to be honest. Dont think the Iranian regime give a toss about UN rules

[Granno]

That country has serious problems!

[BoneDog]

They have taken his passport!

I think they can and will do pretty much as they please. Im more concerned for his physical welfare right now than his football career to be honest. Dont think the Iranian regime give a toss about UN rules

There are only 2 countries in this world that don't give a toss about UN rules and openly flout them over and over again, and have done for over 30 years constantly. It's written in history for anyone who checks.

[BoneDog]

Real news :

" Iran's manager Afshin Qotbi says no player has been punished for sporting green wristbands during a recent World Cup qualifier with South Korea.

Four Iranian footballers sparked controversy for wearing green wristbands to mark their support for defeated presidential candidate, Mir-Hossein Mousavi, during a 1-1 draw in Seoul last week.

Green is the campaign color of Moussavi and has been widely worn by his supporters who have staged sporadic rallies in Tehran in recent weeks.

A number of foreign media outlets, spearheaded by CNN, claimed that the four footballers -- Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Hosein Ka'abi, and Vahid Hashemian -- were banned for life over showing 'a display of political support' for Mousavi.

In an e-mail message sent to The New York Times, the team's manager Afshin Qotbi rejected the media reports as "false and rumors."

"The IFF (Iranian Football Federation) has not taken any official stand on this issue. We only saw the story in the international media," he said on Friday.

FIFA had sent a letter to Iranian soccer authorities on Wednesday seeking information on the reports.

"We wrote a letter to the Iranian Federation to ask for some answers and clarification regarding the press reports over what happened to some of the Iranian players following the qualifier with South Korea on June 17," a FIFA spokesman said.

However, FIFA officials later said that they had received a response from the IFF, "which stated that no disciplinary action has been imposed on any players of the Iran national team by any authority."

[Ultra]

There are only 2 countries in this world that don't give a toss about UN rules and openly flout them over and over again, and have done for over 30 years constantly. It's written in history for anyone who checks.

Only 2?

[Guest Bilo]

Only 2?

Of course only 2!

How could you possible believe that any more than 2 out of 192 countries in the world ignore the rights of their citizens?!

[BoneDog]

Only 2?

Only two that can get away with it then. We all know one of them has been flouting UN laws for over 40 years, even when given ultimatums. The other constantly vetos UN resolutions when everyone else votes for. That is not democracy is it? 1 says no, several say yes but the 1 wins. Everytime.

[BoneDog]

Of course only 2!

How could you possible believe that any more than 2 out of 192 countries in the world ignore the rights of their citizens?!

I wasn't talking about countries ignoring the wishes or rights of their citizens. We all know that our leaders do that (although you wouldn't think so with the amount of folk who stick up for them and trust their every word, and then deride folks who speak otherwise).

I was talking about countries that get away with ignoring global laws. UN laws that the whole world agreed on. Thought that was obvious?

[Benji]

Mahmoud El Ahmadinejad Empty

I understand you're trying to be balance!

[BoneDog]

[Guest Bilo]

I wasn't talking about countries ignoring the wishes or rights of their citizens. We all know that our leaders do that (although you wouldn't think so with the amount of folk who stick up for them and trust their every word, and then deride folks who speak otherwise).

I was talking about countries that get away with ignoring global laws. UN laws that the whole world agreed on. Thought that was obvious?

It isn't just the US and Israel (obvious those are the two countries) that do this though.

Sudan is committing what many consider to be a genocide in Darfur RIGHT NOW.

China has occupied Tibet for 60 years, undermining it's unique culture and exiling it's leader.

Russia has invaded and occupied Chechnya on numerous occasions, as well as launched war on Georgia due to that country's support of the US.

North Korea is testing nuclear missiles while its people starve and committing the worst human rights abuses on the planet.

That's four more countries guilty of ignoring UN Resolutions over time. Press TV would love you to think that only the US and Israel (and their new nemesis the UK) ignore the UN, but that simply doesn't stand up.

[BoneDog]

It isn't just the US and Israel (obvious those are the two countries) that do this though.

Sudan is committing what many consider to be a genocide in Darfur RIGHT NOW.

China has occupied Tibet for 60 years, undermining it's unique culture and exiling it's leader.

Russia has invaded and occupied Chechnya on numerous occasions, as well as launched war on Georgia due to that country's support of the US.

North Korea is testing nuclear missiles while its people starve and committing the worst human rights abuses on the planet.

That's four more countries guilty of ignoring UN Resolutions over time. Press TV would love you to think that only the US and Israel (and their new nemesis the UK) ignore the UN, but that simply doesn't stand up.

Some of this is true and some is funny.

Don't know what you saying about press tv? I watch all available news. Press tv has some top reporters whatever you say about them. There is more propaganda on BBC and Sky than there and if you don't know that then that's your problem. Al Jazeera and Press shat on the other 2 all day. Sir David Frost on Al Jazeera is a top show, and Gilligan on Press is good aswell. Yes they have their own views but they are controlled by big powers less than the news you watch, I guarantee. I doubt you will ever take the time to find out though. Fair do's.

Yes I agree with what you say about those countrys you mentioned but they don't compare to the other two. Russia comes close though.

I don't know why you stick up for folks who hate you so much? You seem to argue with me for making points against certain bad folk in the world. I'm not harming anyone, I'm just pointing out certain regimes crimes and I get levelled for it over and over.

[Guest Bilo]

Some of this is true and some is funny.

Don't know what you saying about press tv? I watch all available news. Press tv has some top reporters whatever you say about them. There is more propaganda on BBC and Sky than there and if you don't know that then that's your problem. Al Jazeera and Press shat on the other 2 all day. Sir David Frost on Al Jazeera is a top show, and Gilligan on Press is good aswell. Yes they have their own views but they are controlled by big powers less than the news you watch, I guarantee. I doubt you will ever take the time to find out though. Fair do's.

Yes I agree with what you say about those countrys you mentioned but they don't compare to the other two. Russia comes close though.

I don't know why you stick up for folks who hate you so much? You seem to argue with me for making points against certain bad folk in the world. I'm not harming anyone, I'm just pointing out certain regimes crimes and I get levelled for it over and over.

1. I don't see how I'm sticking up for anybody. I agree the US and Israel have a reputation for ignoring UN Resolutions and that that rep is largely deserved. All I'm saying is that they are far from the only ones, and far from being the worst criminals in the world right now. There are genocidal, totalitarian and openly racist regimes committing the kind of acts that would disgust any right-thinking person.

2. Who hates me? Not sure who or what you mean here.

3. Nothing personal mate, I actually respect a lot of what you say and its obvious you read up a lot and passionately believe what you say. That's better than apathy any day of the week. I also believe what I say about other regimes like those in Iran and terrorist organisations that would, given half a chance, subjugate each and every one of us like al-Qaeda and Hamas. I have taken the time to watch Press TV before and while most of it is factually correct, you have to take with a pinch of salt the reports on issues such as Palestine, Hezbollah and the recent Iranian election. I'd advise the same with FOX News or an Israeli news agency because each have their own agenda.

[BoneDog]

1. I don't see how I'm sticking up for anybody. I agree the US and Israel have a reputation for ignoring UN Resolutions and that that rep is largely deserved. All I'm saying is that they are far from the only ones, and far from being the worst criminals in the world right now. There are genocidal, totalitarian and openly racist regimes committing the kind of acts that would disgust any right-thinking person.

2. Who hates me? Not sure who or what you mean here.

3. Nothing personal mate, I actually respect a lot of what you say and its obvious you read up a lot and passionately believe what you say. That's better than apathy any day of the week. I also believe what I say about other regimes like those in Iran and terrorist organisations that would, given half a chance, subjugate each and every one of us like al-Qaeda and Hamas. I have taken the time to watch Press TV before and while most of it is factually correct, you have to take with a pinch of salt the reports on issues such as Palestine, Hezbollah and the recent Iranian election. I'd advise the same with FOX News or an Israeli news agency because each have their own agenda.

Yes sorry, you weren't sticking up for anybody, I just jumped the gun again and couldn't stop me fingers typing! These other regimes that sh*t on their people are all backed financially or militarily by either US, Britain or a couple of others (sometimes stealthily). None of them are in power by chance. Our leaders sometimes speak out against them but do deals with them behind our backs.

When I said the thing about them hating you, I didn't mean personally, I just meant that they don't give a sh*t about any of us and they do things that make our lives worse all the time. I use that hate arguement often but I've now realised it's the wrong way to say what I'm trying to say.

[lou]

Poor lad its a shame he cant play for his country again just for expressing an opinion.

[BoneDog]

Has he been banned then?

I read that FIFA had been in contact with the Iranian FA and they agreed that no action was going to be taken, but that was a couple of weeks ago.

[lou]

Has he been banned then?

I read that FIFA had been in contact with the Iranian FA and they agreed that no action was going to be taken, but that was a couple of weeks ago.

See the other thread - reported in the Guardian they have all been "retired"

Probably better if someone could merge it?

[lou]

PAH!! Forget my post just seen the date on that last Guardian report ffs!

Sorry ignore me I didnt notice it was OLD NEWS!

[leftsideoverhere]

Has he been banned then?

I read that FIFA had been in contact with the Iranian FA and they agreed that no action was going to be taken, but that was a couple of weeks ago.

The Iranian FA said no "disciplinary action" had been taken against the four footballers, but didn't seem to comment on the idea that Kaebi's 'retirement' at the age of 24, during the peak of his career might not have been entirely voluntary. I'm bemused that you would take the word of the Iranian FA on this. But then, since you seem to be the only person in the world who thinks that the Iranian election results weren't fixed, maybe not.

Three of the four players who retired last month were probably at the end of their playing careers - with Iran failing to qualify for the world cup finals it isn't an unusual time for international players to announce their retirement. But Kaebi is a different case. Why would he retire now? He could easily be playing for Iran in 2014 world cup.

There's an easy test, isn't there: when's Iran's next international fixture? Alternatively, their domestic season starts in a couple of weeks and if Kaebi isn't playing then I think we can see for ourselves what the reality is.

Getting to the truth in this is not easy. For sure the UK media is currently on anti-Iran binge, and any story which appears to fit into that will get lots of coverage. The story of the 'banned' players doesn't feature highly in many other news outlets but it is a big story to the UK press - the Times, the Guardian and the Daily Mail in particular. Interesting, of course, that when politics and sport collide in this country (e.g. the question of cricket or rugby tours to South Africa during the time of apartheid) the Mail and the Times were very much in the camp of 'sportsmen shouldn't get involved in politics, it doesn't concern them' and now they are parading the 'retired' Iranian footballers as heroes. Consistency? Not for them.

There is coverage around of a letter written by one of the four, Mehdi Mahdavikia, to the Iranian footballing authorities, in which, among other things, he criticises them for asking FIFA whether they should punish the players who wore green in the game against Korea. He says that the IFF should not have been so keen to punish its own players and left the issue to FIFA to rule on. He also echoes complaints in the past that the country's politicians are 'ruining' sport in Iran.

Given that he, and the other players involved remain Iranian citizens, as do their families and friends, I don't think we can expect a clear answer on the situation any time soon. But since there is no dispute that the players had their passports taken off them on returning to Iran (not unusual in that country, but disturbing nonetheless), I'm inclined to think overall that (a) the players were making a gesture of support for the mass protests which have taken place in Iran since the elections were manipulated, and (b) they have been subsequently threatened into either retirement, silence or both. Perhaps the ones involved knew this would happen which is why it was mostly the older players who participated in the wearing of green tape on their wrists, in which case more credit than ever should go to Kaebi for being prepared to take part at the height of his career.

[willchafer]

This is wrong in a surposed world of free speech when someone says their opinion it should be taken in, it really shows how worrying our world is. You can't ban someone for what they beleive in, even if others think differently.