A number of unidentified Iranian footballers were arrested in the northern city Damavand for attending a mixed-gender New Year’s Eve party where alcohol was consumed, according to state-affiliated media.
“Several current and former players of one of Tehran’s prominent football clubs were arrested last night at a mixed party in the city of Damavand,” the semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Sunday.
Tasnim, which is closely linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), associated the footballers with the protest movement which has swept across Iran over the past four months.
“It is worth mentioning that some of the detainees have said in their interviews in recent days that they had no desire for competition or speaking about football because of the recent events and in solidarity with people,” the report stated.
Widespread women-led demonstrations rocked Iran in September following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf “improperly”.
Several athletes, including footballers, have expressed solidarity with the protest movement.
