After restriction of sale of tickets to only 4,000 women, it is time now to put fences for the women’s section.
The Ministry of Sports considered 4,000 seats for women. Now, the platforms where women are going to sit are being fenced off. (The state-run Rouydad24.com – October 8, 2019)
Reporters and photographers who had entered Azadi Stadium to report on the drilling exercises of Iran’s national football team, said they saw people installing fences around women’s platform. There were also two closed circuit cameras in this platform, signaling serious security measures for women’s attendance in Iran-Cambodia game. (The state-run ILNA news agency – October 9, 2019)
A completely separate entrance has been considered for women. There are separate gates and electronic gates, especially for women. There is also a separate parking lot where women’s entry has been completely segregated from men. (The state-run Khabaronline.ir – October 9, 2019)
Additionally, the executive manager of Tehran’s Bus Company, Payman Sanandaji, said 100 buses have been allocated to transport women to Azadi Stadium. (The state-run Fars news agency – October 9, 2019)
The Open Stadium Organization criticized the Iranian regime’s restrictive measures for the 4,000 women participants, calling them unacceptable.
Earlier, the European Football Union declared that it had recommended its member clubs and teams to not play with teams from countries which prevent women from having complete access to stadiums to watch the games. (The official IRNA news agency – September 25, 2019)
Amnesty International issued a statement on October 9, 2019, urging Iranian authorities to lift all restrictions on women attending matches in all football stadiums.
AI wrote, “Iran’s decision to allow a token number of women into the stadium for tomorrow’s football match is a cynical publicity stunt by the authorities intended to whitewash their image following the global outcry over Sahar Khodayri’s tragic death.”
“Anything short of a full reversal of the ban on women accessing all football stadiums is an insult to Sahar Khodayari’s memory and an affront to the rights of all the women of Iran who have been courageously campaigning for the ban to be lifted,” AI added.
Amnesty International called on the World Football Federation (FIFA) to make sure that Iranian women are permitted to attend all matches.
