See Why Government Ban Celebration During World Cup Football Match

Iranian football fans were banned from celebrating goals in Tuesday’s World Cup Qualifier match against South Korea.

This was because the match was played on the same day with a Muslim holiday of mourning, Ashura.

BBC reports that many took part in mourning processions as they gathered at the 75,000-capacity Azadi (“freedom”) stadium in Tehran to mark the eve of Ashura, one of the holiest days in the Iranian calendar.

For Shia Muslims, Ashura marks the death of Imam Hussein in the seventh century, and is traditionally a day of sombre processions through the streets, in which black-clad men beat their chests and heads in anger and despair.

So it proved controversial with religious leaders when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) match against South Korea was scheduled for the day before.

“Bear in mind that if football is going to be played on the eve of the Ashura, the atmosphere of this match must be 100 percent in line with Ashura,” warned Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Ali Movahedi Kermani last week, according to the ISNA news agency.

“The entire stadium must be covered in black and shouts of Hussein must be heard constantly from the crowd. Instead of the clapping in these games, all should shout ‘Ya Hussein’,” he said.

Two enormous black flags with Hussein’s name — measuring an estimated 600 metres squared — were unfurled inside the stadium.

“Spectators and players of both countries have been briefed to observe religious codes,” General Alireza Adeli, the interior ministry’s police chief, told the Tasnim news agency.

Fans had been asked to replace football chants with religious slogans and wear black.

Iran later won the match as Sardar Azmoun's 25th-minute goal put Iran top of their qualifying group.

Fans were asked to raise clenched fists and chant "Ya Hussein" during the match, while at half-time singers performed solemn religious songs on the pitch.