News / Sports

Iran’s famous volleyball captain faces ban for swearing

Sunday, 15 January 2017 9:06 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 15 January 2017 9:06 AM ]

Iranian volleyball player Mir Saeid Marouf Lakrani (center)

Captain of Iran men's national volleyball team Mir Saeid Marouf Lakrani is facing an indefinite ban after being charged by the Islamic Republic of Iran Volleyball Federation (IRIVF) for using offensive language.

The 31-year-old, who plays for Paykan Tehran Volleyball Club owned by Iranian automobile manufacturer Iran Khodro, used foul and abusive language against referee supervisor Hossein Pourkashiyan at the end of the match between his team and Shahrdari Tabriz Volleyball Club on January 11.

Paykan lost the game, which was staged in the 17th week of the Iranian Volleyball Super League, to the Tabriz-based team 2-3 (21-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19 and 11-15).

The IRIVF’s decision came as Marouf had earlier got involved in a brawl with Parseh Tehran Volleyball Club libero player Ali Hosseini, caused constant tensions with referee Farhad Shahmiri during a fixture between Paykan and Sarmayeh Bank Volleyball Club that prompted Shahmiri to give up the task, and started a chain reaction of fights with Saipa Tehran Volleyball Club, which is owned by Iranian automobile manufacturer SAIPA, players and head coach Masoud Armat.

The IRIVF Disciplinary Committee is scheduled to convene on Monday to discuss the proper punitive measure against Marouf.

Marouf was selected as the Most valuable player in the 2013 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship. He was introduced as the Best setter in at 2014 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) World League.

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