TWO Iranian footballers, accused of flouting Iran’s harsh Islamic chastity laws, are facing 74 lashes after an “immoral” goal celebration on the pitch.

According to this report, defender Mohammad Nosrati pinched the bottom of Persepolis teammate Sheys Rezaei during a goal celebration against rivals Damash Gilan.

Now Rezaei and Nosrati are facing a flogging, possibly on the pitch where the celebration took place, after a judge said they may have violated public chastity laws.

Judge Valiollah Hosseini said that the punishment for violating the chastity law is up to two months in prison and 74 lashes.

It is even worse to do these actions before the eyes of thousands of spectators and TV cameras.

Rezaei and Nosrati – known as the “Minister of Defence” for his skills on the pitch – have already been banned from football for an “indefinite period” and fined the equivalent of £25,000 for the “immoral” acts.

Both players have also been suspended by Tehran-based Persepolis, which is financially backed by the government.

Hat tip: Marcus Robinson