IANS | 24 Apr, 2024
A stadium ban for women is to be reintroduced in Iran, multiple local news reports said on Wednesday.
The
reports said that the Iranian FA has ordered the ban to be imposed in
the north-western city of Tabriz in the wake of "repulsive incidents" at
a home game of local top flight club Tractor-Sazi.
It was not
clear whether the stadium ban only applies in Tabriz or for all matches.
Tractor-Sazi is one of the most popular clubs in Iran, with a large fan
base including many women.
Observers believe that a female pitch invader at a match last week is a reason for the latest decision by the FA.
A
woman ran onto the pitch during the Pro League match between Tehran
club Esteghal and Aluminium Arak and embraced Esteghlal and national
team goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini.
Hosseini was fined around $7,500
and suspended for one match after he reportedly briefly held her. In
Iran, it is forbidden to touch women who are not a part of the close
family.
Iran's arch-conservative clergy has argued that women had no business in stadiums with fanatical male fans.
Under
pressure from the world governing body FIFA, the ban was relaxed
somewhat in recent years, with a certain number of women allowed to
attend matches.