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RFL/RE – The Iranian soccer federation was also cited for using a drone during the ceremony and for “improper conduct among spectators” for their display of a banner that had religious content on it.
FIFA has fined Iran and warned the country’s soccer body for allowing “several religious manifestations” during a recent World Cup qualifying game in Tehran.
Soccer’s world governing body said in a statement on November 3 that Iran was fined 45,000 Swiss francs (about $46,000) for holding a “religious ceremony” before its October 11 game against South Korea and again at halftime.
The Iranian soccer federation was also cited for using a drone during the ceremony and for “improper conduct among spectators” for their display of a banner that had religious content on it.
Iran was also fined 40,000 Swiss francs (about $41,000) for team misconduct, improper conduct by its fans, and for allowing unauthorized personnel to enter the field.
The sanctions against Iran were just a few of several fines and warnings doled out by FIFA to 10 countries for various acts of misbehavior, usually involving a team’s fans.
Albania and Croatia received the harshest penalties, 50,000 Swiss francs each (about $51,000), and another seven federations were also fined, FIFA said in a statement.
The soccer federations of Croatia and Kosovo were penalized because their fans were chanting “Kill, kill the Serbs” during a game in Croatia on October 6.
Albania received its fine because its fans turned their backs toward the field and booed as the Macedonian national anthem was played before a September 5 game.
Also fined were Brazil, Paraguay, Estonia, Ukraine, Chile, and Argentina, several for antigay chants.
