Iran’s female fans have expressed a fear they are being spied on while at the 2022 World Cup.
According to The Athletic, the women are worried they are being followed by ‘government spies’ while in the stadiums in Qatar.
Women in Iran have been barred from attending football matches since the country’s Islamic revolution in 1979, and so their presence at the World Cup could cause issues for them once they return home.
There are already protests against Iran's authoritarian regime ongoing in the country, with many supporters in Qatar showing solidarity during matches.
What have Iran’s female fans said about being spied on at the 2022 World Cup?
The Athletic has reported that one fan saw a man with binoculars watching the supporters in the crowd, ignoring the action on the pitch.
Another complained of a man in a suit filming a group of women during Iran’s match against England, before moving on to do the same elsewhere in the stadium.
FIFA's Human Rights Grievance Procedure has allegedly been inundated with complaints about the stadium ‘spies’, and the body has promised to assign an “independent expert assessor”.
But there are fears that there could be serious repercussions for Iran’s female fans once they arrive back in the country.
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Iran fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and IR Iran at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Why can’t women attend football matches in Iran?
Over the past 40 years, Iranian authorities have banned women from attending football and other sports in stadiums, arguing that they are being protected from a masculine atmosphere and the sight of semi-clad men.
This ban is not written into law or regulations, but it has been regularly enforced for decades. It has been eased on a handful of occasions in recent years, particularly after the death of football fan Sahar Khodayari.
The 29-year-old had been arrested in March 2019 after disguising herself as a man and attempting to sneak into a match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran.
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 21: Iranian fans hold up signs advocating for women's rights prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and IR Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Khodayari learned that she could be tried by a revolutionary court and put in prison for six months. In despair, she set herself on fire, dying from her injuries a week later.
This incident, which sparked worldwide condemnation, convinced authorities to let women watch Iran’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cambodia.
But there have only been a handful of matches admitting female fans since then, with many still persecuted for trying to watch the sport they love.
Human rights group Open Stadiums even asked FIFA to ban Iran from the 2022 World Cup as a result of the country’s exclusionary policies.
FIFA did not respond to the request, however, and Iran are set to play their third match at the tournament this evening. They will take on the United States, with a place in the round of 16 at stake for both teams.
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