Like celebrities in other countries, those in Iran may be expecting favors when facing law enforcement officers. But a recent incident and the ensuing public outrage could make them rethink that kind of attitude. Farhad Majidi, a legendary former soccer player and current coach, posted a video on his Instagram account earlier this month showing him in a seemingly tense verbal exchange with a traffic police officer.

Majidi was said to have been pulled over for speeding on a Tehran highway. The popular former soccer star seemed to have been expecting the officer to recognize his fame and let go of him as a result. To his surprise, the policeman ordered a breathalyzer test instead — a request that ticked off Majidi, who started filming the argument. In the captured conversation, the recently appointed coach of Tehran's popular Esteghlal club is heard resisting the police. The exchange continues with the officer asking for license and registration to only be dismissed by an enraged Majidi once again, who said he was not carrying the documents. The last response on the clip left the officer with no option but to have the vehicle impounded.

With over 1 million followers on his Instagram page, Majidi had been hoping to rally support from fans by posting the video. He also called on police authorities to deal with the officer. His outrage even pushed him to the point where he released the officer's name in a separate post, trying to pit senior police officials and the public against the officer. 

To Majidi’s dismay, however, things did not turn out the way he had planned. His Instagram posts were met with a barrage of furious comments from the public, who reproached him for the seemingly blatant violation of traffic rules and his overall disrespect for the rule of law. They also hailed the officer for being duty-bound and refusing to be intimidated by the soccer coach's fame.