Politics and religion rule Iranian sports: Athlete fired because he did not observe fasting
This week Ali Karimi, one of Asia's best football (soccer) players was fired from Iran's Steel Azin team because he ate food during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. The expulsion occurred despite strong objection by the Team's captain, Mahdavikia. Some of Karimi's teammates also shared with reporters that most athletes can not fast and have to eat and drink during games to maintain their needed levels of energy. They called the expulsion as politically motivated but using religion as an excuse.
Separately, during the World's first Youth Olympics in Singapore, there were two controversies surrounding Iranians. One was the dispute between Iranian authorities and FIFA over proper uniform for Iranian Women's soccer team. The dispute was finally resolved when a "customized" head cover was used by Iranian girls that would meet both FIFA's standards and Iranian officials' demands for modesty.
Another controversy started when Mohammad Soleimani, a world-class Iranian taekwondo player, failed to show up and forfeited in the championship title game against an Israeli rival. Iranian team called this illness-related, but for the past 3 decades Iranian teams and athletes have refused to compete against Israelis. Israeli government is viewed as an occupying force and illegitimate regime by Iran's government.
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