An Iranian footballer has been suspended for six months – for the offence of wearing yellow “SpongeBob pants”.
The ISNA news agency reported that Sosha Makani, formerly a goalkeeper for Persepolis Football Club, appeared in an online photo wearing a blue shirt and tight yellow dotted trousers described as reminiscent of the cartoon character from a popular animated television show.
However, the Iranian football federation’s morality committee which deemed his clothing as “inappropriate” said Makani can appeal his suspension.
The Washington Post writes Makani was arrested in January and sent to prison after photographs of him with various women appeared on social media.
The pictures in question can be viewed on his blog here.
Athletes and celebrities in Iran have been targeted by hard-liners in the judiciary and elsewhere for what they wear and how they behave.
Iranian hard-liners view much of Western culture as corrupt and un-Islamic.