Iranian President Hasan Rouhani has given the green light for Iranian women to attend football matches in stadiums, reported the ISNA agency on Monday.
Rouhani conveyed his decision to Sports Minister Masoud Soltanifar, and it seems that Iranian ultra-conservative circles have softened regarding women and their presence in stadiums alongside male fans, who often use inappropriate language while cheering.
>>>Rouhani Remains Iranian President
However, a spokesman for the Iranian Guardian Council – a body composed of 12 men with significant power in the Islamic Republic – stated that this “absolute ban” is no longer reasonable.
After years of protests against this ban and the recent appearance of Iranian women at the World Cup in Russia, where they cheered with props in national colors and without mandatory headscarves, it seems that persistence has paid off.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia recently lifted this ban, which is considered far more conservative than Iran regarding women, and Tehran has faced a barrage of criticism and condemnation on social media.
>>>According to the new rules, Saudi women are allowed to watch football matches in stadiums.
Women have been banned from appearing in stadiums since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
