Iran May Finally Allow Women to Attend Football Matches in Person... "In Planning"

Football Association President Affirms "Will Soon Be Open to Women"
Conservative Supreme Leader Khamenei's Decision Is a Variable

It has been confirmed that Iran is pushing forward with plans to allow women to enter football stadiums, which have long been considered 'forbidden spaces' for women.

According to reports citing Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency by TASS and others, Mehdi Taji, president of the Football Federation, stated on the 30th of last month (local time), "Women will be able to enter stadiums," adding, "The Supreme National Security Council (NSC) has made this decision."

The NSC is a body composed of key government officials overseeing Iran's domestic and foreign security, public order, and diplomatic policies. Foreign media such as Voice of America (VOA) reported that "the NSC has not yet issued any specific statement regarding Taji's remarks."

Taji added, "A working group composed of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Sports and Youth, Football Federation, and two agencies within the Ministry of Intelligence has been designated to devise plans for this."

He further predicted, "Gol Gohar Stadium in Sirjan, Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium and Foolad Shahr Stadium in Isfahan, and Ghadir Stadium in Ahvaz will be opened to women," and said, "Azadi Stadium in Tehran should also prepare for female spectators."

Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has banned women from entering football stadiums. The last recorded instance of women entering a football stadium in Iran was in 1981. That year also marked the legalization of mandatory hijab-wearing for women, which became a turning point leading to a sharp decline in women's rights in Iran.

Women are cheering while watching a professional league match at Azadi Football Stadium in Tehran, Iran last year.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

As international criticism poured in over Iran's unique policy banning women from stadiums, Iranian authorities allowed about 200 women to attend a friendly match in October 2018. However, these women were limited to certain statuses such as players' family members or high-ranking officials.

In 2019, a woman who was arrested while trying to sneak into a stadium set herself on fire in front of a court, fearing imprisonment, and died, which intensified public calls for allowing female spectators.

Moreover, ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, worsening international opinion made it impossible for Iranian authorities to ignore the issue. FIFA (F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association) and AFC (Asian Football Confederation) sent official letters to the Iranian Football Federation earlier this month, urging them to allow female spectators at domestic professional matches. Ultimately, on August 25, 2022, Iran permitted women to attend its professional league matches for the first time in 41 years.

At the match between Esteghlal Tehran and Mes Kerman held at Tehran's Azadi Stadium that day, about 28,000 seats, or 30% of the 78,000 seats, were allocated to female spectators. However, women were only allowed to sit in designated sections, separated by wire fences and under strict control, falling short of full admission.

Foreign media reported, "This is the first time the head of Iran's football community has asserted that the NSC has approved women's entry into stadiums."

However, even if the NSC has decided on the matter, the final promulgation as national policy requires the approval of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran's lifelong Supreme Leader who wields full authority. Known for his conservative stance and strong opposition to women's rights expansion, it remains uncertain what choice Khamenei will make.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.