Every sport has a way of interacting and communicating with the people, and invoke certain emotions and enthusiasm nevertheless of any distinction, based on caste, religion, gender or race. But the differences humans created among themselves over the years, also reflected in the game they immensely enjoy. Based on gender, women participating in different sports, has been looked down upon; lacked proper support or backup like the men’s sport. The disparity does not stop there, as women’s have been blatantly restricted from watching matches in stadiums.
In Iran, these distinctions still prevail even in 21st century, as women’s are still barred from watching men’s football and volleyball matches in a stadium full of crowds, under the Iran’s Islamic Law after the 1979 revolution. Women kept protesting against the law from the time it was imposed, often rebelling against restrictions, by showing up at matches dressed like a boy, or trying to enter otherwise without worrying about the consequences, which sometimes resulted in getting arrested for simply wanting to watch a game on the ground. The issue has been brought to public eye several times, raising debates, but in the end succumbed to religious sentiments.
In a hopeful turn of events, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women’s attending men’s sports last year. Now, an Asian soccer official also urged Iran, to let women watch the game that is played by all. Men’s World Cup qualifiers are just around the corner, and Tehran is pressured to lift the long-running ban on women, when the matches will be played in Islamic Republic.
FC general secretary Windsor John also stated that, “Everybody needs to be catered, it’s an inclusive game. Women play the game in Iran, men play the game, so everybody should be able to watch”. However, Iran is still hesitant on lifting the ban under pressure from FIFA and AFC, and are really concerned about other laws which they feel to be at risk if the ban gets lifted. FIFA asked Iranian Football Federation to provide a timeline on letting women to buy tickets and watch the game on their own alongside others. This year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup had record spectators on the ground and on televisions, for which, FIFA is planning on an expansion of the women’s game and let women’s take what they have been deprived off.
