Thousands of Women Watched Football Match Together for the First Time in Iran

Thousands of women in Iran for the first time watched a football match, after FIFA threatened to suspend the country over its controversial stadium restrictions, one of which was not allowing women into stadiums.

The excited female fans wore the national green, white and red flag around their shoulders as they cheered for Iran’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cambodia from a small section of Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

With every goal the Iranian team scored, the cheers in the women’s section grew louder. In the end, the Iranian team comes out victorious with a blowout of 14-0.

For nearly 40 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has barred female spectators from entering the sports stadiums including football stadiums in the country, as clerics argue women must be shielded from the masculine atmosphere and sight of the semi-clad men.

In the month of September, International Football’s governing body FIFA ordered Iran to lift the restriction and allow women to the stadiums without restriction and in numbers determined by the demand for tickets.

After the full-fledged participation of women in the match, FIFA said, it is a very positive step forward. In a statement, the world body said “FIFA now looks more than ever towards a future when ALL girls and women wishing to attend football matches in. Iran will be free to do so in a safe environment. There will be no stopping or turning back now”.

FIFA Foundation CEO Youri Djorkaeff called it a great first, “There must be a beginning, and today, there was a beginning”.

Iranian Government spokesman Ali Rabiei, who is also a supporter of the move to allow women into stadiums, tweeted, “Calm, disciplined, happy, excited, safe, egalitarian and elegant: this was Azadi stadium today, thanks to the presence of nation’s girls and women”.

Girls have made sacrifices in the past fighting for their rights in Iran. The death of Sahar Khodayari is one such sacrifice. Sahar set herself ablaze last month outside a court fearing she could be jailed for trying to attend a match. She was detained last year when she tried to enter a stadium dressed as a boy. Her death sparked an outcry in the country, with many calling for Iran to be banned by boycotting the matches in its territory.

Women spectator 36 years old Mojgan said the night was a victory for all women in the country that materialized only because of FIFA. She said, “This was 100 percent achievement of the women. They say it was a domestic achievement, but it happened just because of FIFA pressure”.

For some men too, the game was worthy of celebration. A male fan said, “It was a great feeling, as we are finally together. We only wish, this can continue in the future too. Lifting all restrictions”.

According to an estimate, more than 4,000 women watched the game, which was also attended by some 6,000 men. Initially, only four sections of the stadium were opened for the women, allowing some 3,500 to attend the match, but a thousand more were later granted entrance halfway through because of the demand.