DUBAI: Iranian police briefly detained several unidentified top-tier football players in a raid on a party on New Year’s Eve where alcohol was served in violation of a ban, Iranian media reported.
Mingling between sexes outside marriage and drinking alcohol are banned under Iran’s laws. Social restrictions are among issues that prompted mass unrest in recent months, following the death in custody of a woman accused of violating the strict dress code.
The semi-official news agency Tasnim said several current players and former members of an unidentified top Tehran soccer club had been detained at the party east of the capital.
“Some of the players were in an abnormal state due to alcohol consumption,” Tasnim reported, without giving further details.
