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Women in the Stadium

Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2019 6:02 am
by blahblah
It is being reported that FIFA has required Iran to lift its ban on women entering football stadiums before the upcoming qualifiers. If this is not done then the potential for Iran to be banned from qualification arises. Whether FIFA takes the nuclear option or not remains to be seen as the ban isn't from the Iranian FA but a result of policies from hard-line clerics.

It is a tough issue, particularly as Iran is football mad and the women desperately want to enter the stadium to watch matches, so much so that many sneak in dressed as men. The footballers don't seem to mind, the fans are keen for more women, however grizzled conservatives have a different opinion. Given the current tensions Iran has with the US and the UK in the Straits of Hormuz, their opinion may carry greater weight than usual.

Should the ban remain in place then Iran may be dropped from qualification, resulting the AFC losing one of its strongest members. How this would be received inside Iran from the general citizenry would make for interesting viewing.

Iran's first game is in Hong Kong in five weeks and first home game against Cambodia in early October. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Re: Women in the Stadium

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 1:09 pm
by blahblah
..........and the Iranian's backed down; women will be allowed into the qualifiers.

Football trumps politics and religion in Iran which shows there's hope for the country yet. If only the American's had the foresight to choke Iranian football rather than the economy they may have had the geopolitical results they were after.

Re: Women in the Stadium

Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 5:11 am
by blahblah
Perhaps being allowed in just for the qualifiers is not enough to placate FIFA, particularly following the tragic case of Sahar Khodayari who died of self-immolation after being charged for sneaking into a stadium to watch an ACL match.

Infantino has made statements suggesting women need to be allowed to watch football in the stadiums and now UEFA is urging a boycott from their members (countries and clubs) of countries that restrict stadium access for women, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Re: Women in the Stadium

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:43 am
by blahblah
So the Iranians agreed to open one bay for 3,500 women, and it sold out in less than an hour. The Azidi stadium can hold 100,000 so perhaps a few more bays for the ladies wouldn't go astray.

Re: RE: Re: Women in the Stadium

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2019 6:38 pm
by EdDog
So the Iranians agreed to open one bay for 3,500 women, and it sold out in less than an hour. The Azidi stadium can hold 100,000 so perhaps a few more bays for the ladies wouldn't go astray.
Who would have thought it would be good for business if women were able to purchase tickets...