TEHRAN: In a significant move, women in Iran will be permitted to attend football matches in stadiums during the upcoming season, as announced by Mehdi Taj, the head of Iran’s Football Federation on Sunday. This decision marks a departure from the long-standing practice of barring women from attending football matches, except on rare occasions.
During a live broadcast of the draw ceremony for the upcoming season of Iran’s top-level football league, Taj highlighted that one of the prominent features of this year’s league would be the entry of women into stadiums. The 16-team tournament is scheduled to commence next month.
Since the Islamic revolution in 1979, Iran has generally prohibited female spectators from attending football and other sports stadiums, despite the absence of any explicit legal prohibition. The decision has been justified by clerics who argue that women need to be shielded from the masculine atmosphere and the sight of semi-clad male athletes. Some officials have also cited lacking infrastructure in sports facilities as a reason for the restriction.
Football Stadiums Ready to Host Women
Taj stated that certain stadiums in cities such as Isfahan, Kerman, and Ahvaz, but not in the capital Tehran, were prepared to host women. In a previous instance in August, women were allowed to attend a national football championship match after many years, when Tehran club Esteghlal faced Mes Kerman. Another exceptional occurrence took place in October 2019, when around 4,000 women were permitted to attend Iran’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cambodia at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.
The pressure on Iran to allow women into matches has been mounting, particularly following the tragic death of Sahar Khodayari, a football fan who set herself on fire in 2019, fearing imprisonment after attempting to attend a match disguised as a man. Known as the “blue girl” due to her support for Esteghlal, Khodayari’s plight garnered international attention and sparked calls for change.
This latest development signals a progressive step towards gender inclusivity in Iranian football, opening doors for women to participate in the vibrant atmosphere of football matches and enjoy the sport alongside their male counterparts.
