| Authorities in Iran have banned four members of the | | | | become a symbol for the opposition in post-election |
| country's national football (soccer) team for wearing | | | | demonstrations. |
| green wristbands in a show of solidarity with | | | | The banned players include Iran's star player Ali |
| anti-government demonstrators. | | | | Karimi, as well as Mehdi Mahdavikia, Hosein Ka'abi and |
| Iran's national soccer team players pose during the | | | | Vahid Hashemian. |
| 2010 FIFA World Cup Asia group 2 qualifying soccer | | | | At least six players wore green during the first half |
| match against South Korea at Seoul World Cup | | | | of the match. The players were told to remove the |
| Stadium in Seoul, S. Korea | | | | attire during half-time, though some ignored the |
| The display took place during a World Cup qualifying | | | | warning. It is not clear who gave the instructions, but |
| match last week in South Korea. | | | | the sport's governing body, FIFA, prohibits players |
| A pro-government Iranian newspaper says the | | | | from displaying political slogans or statements. |
| players have been "retired" from the team. | | | | The match between South Korea and Iran ended in |
| Green was the campaign color of defeated | | | | a 1-1 draw - a result that ended Iran's chances at |
| presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi and has | | | | qualifying for next year's World Cup. |