Adel Ferdowsi-Pour and Farzin Dabiri responded to criticism over controversies at Hamid Alidosti’s memorial ceremony. At a memorial event for Hamid Alidosti, a well-known Iranian football player, held on 11 Aban at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, some prominent figures did not stand up when the national anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran was played, which led to a great deal of criticism. Prominent figures such as Jafar Panahi, Ali Daei, and Adel Ferdowsi-Pour. In the meantime, Farzin Dabiri, a member of the executive board of the Football Federation, also did not stand up when the anthem was played.

On 12 Aban, the Kayhan newspaper, in a piece titled: “Iran stood, the shameless sat down,” criticized those who did not stand up by naming everyone directly, including Ali Daei and Adel Ferdowsi-Pour. On social media as well, attacks against Adel Ferdowsi-Pour and Ali Daei took shape.

On Monday, 18 Aban, the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported that the Ethics Committee of the Football Federation suspended Farzin Dabiri’s membership. This decision remains in place until the next term of the Football Federation’s General Assembly on 9 Day. Based on this report, Mr. Dabiri’s continued activity or his removal will be put to a vote at the session on 9 Day.