Iran international goalkeeper Sosha Makani has been suspended for six months for "inappropriate" conduct, including the wearing of what media have dubbed "SpongeBob trousers", ISNA news agency reported on Wednesday. The Iranian football federation's morality committee cited Makani's clothing as one of the reasons for handing out the punishment. "Among the matters reviewed was Sosha Makani's unconventional and inappropriate clothing," it said about the 29-year-old, who played for Persepolis in the Iranian first division last season. The ruling is not final and can be appealed, ISNA said.
Iran is a deeply conservative Islamic republic with strict clothing laws, including the obligatory wearing of a headscarf for women. Makani's clothing has grabbed the attention of local media, who likened his outfits to that of the American animation character SpongeBob.