http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2011/11/02/pkg-moos-iran-immoral-butt-grab.cnn
While on CNN I came across this video in which 2 players on an Iranian soccer team were fined for a celebratory butt grab. After one player scored a goal one of his teammates gave him a playful butt-squeeze. The second incident occurred in a pile after another goal. Iranian soccer officials deemed the actions immoral and banned both players indefinitely. Both players were also fined the US equivalent of $40,000. Members of the Iranian Parliament chimed in and called the act gross and immoral. As someone who has played on a sports team, the occasionally butt tap can be a very friendly and encouraging gesture. Even if its an opponent that you have knocked down, you pick them up give em a little tap and back to the game. Clearly Iranian culture and Western culture are on different wavelengths when it comes to issues of homosexuality and male interaction, but this news is absurd and a bit upsetting. Maybe if I was raised in an Iranian culture or household I would be disgusted by the act as well, but since that is not the case I think the players should appeal their bans and fines and use this as a way to promote some tolerance in Iran.
I'm a fan of the butt-grab too, not just on the playing field. It's a friendly gesture, for sure. Even coaches in Little League baseball use it on their players. It must truly be a western tradition.
ReplyDeleteI saw this strange video myself, and it's more a butt-hole poke than it is a butt-grab. That's why I feel the repercussions are stronger than what one should think they should be. Lord knows what motivated that player to do that, but it was certainly not appropriate in this situation which is why I support the finings.
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