Football: Andranik Teymourian becomes first ever non-Muslim to lead an Iranian national team

Armenian-Iranian Andranik Teymourian, a member of Iran's national football team, has been appointed the captain, according to a report in the Guardian. This is the first instance of a non-Muslim becoming captain of an Iranian national side.

Teymourian is not shy of showing his Christianity, often crossing himself on the field. In April, Teymourian, who has played for Bolton Wanderers and Fulham, became the first non-Muslim to lead Iran’s football team as its permanent captain. 

“I’m happy that as a Christian I play in a Muslim team,” Teymourian said in a recent interview. “I have Armenian roots but I hold the Iranian passport and I’m proud of that, I hold my flag high. I hope I can enhance the good reputation of Armenian people in Iran.”

Notably, when Armenia commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this year, Iran allowed protests by Armenian Iranians in front of the Turkish embassy in Tehran - something that had never happened before.