Last month in Iran, Persepolis defender Mohammed Nosrati groped the backside of his teammate, Sheys Rezaei, while celebrating a goal in a nationally televised match.

The players insisted the rear pat was only for fun. But the Iranian soccer federation's disciplinary committee immediately suspended both players on charges of immoral offense and reportedly dismissed Persepolis coach Mahmoud Khordbin for failing to report the incident.

Nosrati's suspension will last 10 months. Rezaei will be suspended for 20 months.