Iran star scoffs at cultural ban

Foxsports - IRANIAN international Ali Karimi has dismissed threats players with long hair and western-style clothes may be banned from the national team.

"If the federation invites me the way I am, then I would be more than pleased to come and give everything for my national team. If not, then I wont," said the Bayern Munich midfielder in Teheran.

The midfielder, who has long brown hair and is a superstar at home, was referring to recent threats by the cultural section of the Iranian Football Federation (FFI).

It said that players with long hair and odd beards or wearing tight trousers, T-shirts with western brands and fancy necklaces will be banned from their club teams and even the national side.

So far, only local Iranian players have been targeted, but recently an FFI official was quoted by the sports press as saying that even Karimi could be banned.

The reports caused great controversy in Iran with several national players, including Karimi, criticising the FFI for interference in their private lives and dealing with issues beyond football.

According to the FFI, the Iranian players, especially those in the national team, are role models, and following western-like fashion styles on the field could lead to imitation.